GREEN LEADERS GLOSSARY➧ Green terminology
ALTERNATIVE FUELS: Derived from resources
other than carbon-based materials, such as coal and petroleum.
BIOFUELS: Any fuel derived from biomass. Agri-
HEAT ISLAND: Occurs when warmer temperatures are experienced in urban landscapes compared with adjacent rural areas as a result of solar energy retention on surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, parking lots and buildings. Trees, green roofs, reflective coloring, vegetated landscaping and bodies of water mitigate the effect.
CARBON FOOTPRINT: A carbon footprint is a
IMPERVIOUS SURFACES: Impenetrable by water
ENERGY STAR: Rated products meet the energy-
LEED: Stands for Leadership in Energy and Envi-
efficiency guidelines specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
GEOTHERMAL: Systems that produce energy in
regions with specific geological conditions in which heat escapes from the Earth’s core at temperatures high enough to create steam that can be used to power a turbine. (Such conditions are uncommon in the eastern U. S.)
GRAY WATER: Untreated wastewater from house-
ronmental Design, a rating system designed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
OFFSETTING: Reducing one’s carbon footprint by
removing as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as one puts into it. This is often accomplished by planting trees.
PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS: Solar panels that conRECYCLABLE: Easily recycled and reused in the
plied from continuously replenished sources such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower and various forms of biomass.
GREENWASHING: Disinformation to present an
environmentally responsible public image that isn’t warranted.
GREEN ROOF: A roofing system that uses vegeta-
tion to absorb rainwater and reduce heat reflection.
GROUND-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS: Often mistak-
enly called geothermal heat pumps, these pumps circulate liquid through an underground loop, bringing warmer or cooler temperatures to a building depending on the season. Because it uses the constant temperature (45-50 degrees Fahrenheit) of the Earth at 5-6 feet below ground, heating and cooling costs are reduced. Electricity drives the pump, but the system is 300%-400% efficient, and the payback period is generally
SPECIALIZING IN ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLES
COMPRESSED N COMPRESSED NATURAL AT U R A L G GAS AS
Performance, economy and Cleaner air
High performance and low operating costs are the prime reasons thousands of fleet owners have switched to natural gas-powered vehicles. Using natural gas as a transportation fuel makes sense – it’s clean, safe, abundant and domestically produced.
A natural gas vehicle or NGV is a car or truck powered by natural gas instead of gasoline. NGVs can be purchased new from Suburban Fleet; we sell new Ford vehicles converted to operate on natural gas.
GREEN: An adjective commonly used to describe something, or someone, environmentally conscious or friendly, sustainable, or has positive environmental attributes, effects or objectives.
GREENHOUSE GASES: Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that produce the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halogenated fluorocarbons, ozone, perfluorinated carbons and hydro fluorocarbons.
LARGEST FORD FLEET DEALER IN MICHIGAN
What is a natural gas vehicle?
vert sunlight into electricity with the aid of a semiconductor.
future.
energy, weatherization, alternative fuels, recycling and similar fields.
Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights
and contribute to storm water runoff and the heat island effect. Porous surfaces allow some water infiltration, thereby reducing runoff. For example, open-grid paving allows space for vegetation.
holds and businesses that has not come into contact with toilet waste. Gray water includes water from sinks, showers, dishwashers and washing machines. It can be used in toilets, for washing cars, watering plants and other uses, any of which reduces the demand for potable water.
GREEN COLLAR: Refers to jobs in renewable
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MICHIGAN’S EEXCLUSIVE MICHIGAN’S XCLUSIVE AALTERNATIVE LTERNATIVE FFUELS UELS DDEALER EALER
three to five years. These can be installed anywhere.
cultural products specifically grown for conversion to biofuels include corn and soybeans. Research and development is being conducted to improve the conversion of non-grain crops, such as switch grass and a variety of woody crops, to biofuels.
measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
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RECYCLED: Something made of previously used resources or products (as opposed to virgin materials). RENEWABLE ENERGY: Refers to electricity sup-
RUNOFF: A term used to describe when soil is infiltrated to full capacity with excess water, from rain, snowmelt or other sources. This is a major component of the water cycle. When runoff flows along the ground, it can pick up soil contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides (in particular herbicides and insecticides), or fertilizers that pollute water sources.
ELECTRIC ELECTRIC
New for 2011…
Ford Transit Connect Electric, a pure electricpowered version of the award-winning Transit Connect Ford is collaborating with Azure Dynamics Corporation to upfit the Transit Connect Electric with Azure’s Force Drive battery electric powertrain.
P R O PA N E PROPANE
preferable to grass on green roofs because it absorbs and retains water, reducing runoff and the need for watering.
SUSTAINABILITY: Practices that meet the needs
Propane powered vehicles have distinct advantages over gasoline and diesel… • Reduced operating costs • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions • No loss of horsepower, torque, or towing capacity • 97% domestic propane consumption comes from North American production
SEDUM: A hardy, succulent plant type that is
SOLAR PANELS: Can refer to either photovoltaic systems, which produce electricity from sunlight, or solar hot water systems, which heat water directly with sunlight. In a solar hot water system, water or antifreeze is circulated through a closed loop system and preheats a tank of water.
Advanced lithium-ion battery technology
Specializing in Alternative Fueled vehicles:
• NATURAL N AT U R A L GAS G A S • ELECTRIC E L E C T R I C • PPROPANE R O PA N E
FOR M FOR MORE ORE IINFO. N F O. O ON N YYOUR OUR CCOMPANY’S OMPANY’S FFLEET LEET N NEEDS EEDS CCONTACT: ONTACT:
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability is measured in three dimensions: the environment, economics and society — often referred to as the triple bottom line.
KEN BARANSKI
Kbaranski@suburbancollection.com 888-474-1234
Sources: New York chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Go Green Virginia, National Automobile Dealers Association, Skyscraper.org, Free Press staff
40333 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Hts., MI 48313
N42748
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SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2011
ECO-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES. RESIDENT EMPOWERMENT. AFFORDABILITY. “Energy efficiency may be a new fad for our society, but it’s simply the way we do business...always with an eye to the future and always with the intent of improving our co-ops.” People working together to help each other
CSI
Support & Development Services is a non-profit organization that has provided high quality affordable rental housing for seniors for nearly 50 years. We have 54 buildings in 4 states, with 22 in Michigan; where the residents have an opportunity to participate in the day-to-day management, giving them a greater sense of ownership. CSI is committed to maintaining environmentally conscious properties, to ensure a healthier home for current and future residents.
Helping Create a Greener Tomorrow.
Over the past few years CSI has qualified for several programs that helped us in our “green” efforts.
At Lear, we realize how important it is to be environmentally focused. That is why a key element of our mission statement is “to support communities where we do business and to protect the environment.”
A couple of these include:
As a result, Lear has incorporated ecological awareness upfront in our product strategy, and we continue to place a high priority on bringing to market environmentally-friendly products and technologies.
-The Green-Retrofit Programs: three MI building received a total of $2.5 million to become more energy efficient.
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To see the Lear difference, go to lear.com.
-DTE Energy Program: subsidized the cost of upgrading certain appliances to more energy efficient models. CSI also has a strong emphasis on the “green” education of its residents. They are informed on a monthly basis through newsletters, committee meetings and workshops on the latest energy efficient practices. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
1-800-593-3052
Affordable Rental Housing for Seniors www.csi.coop N42335
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