Green Communications Key Definitions and Language Considerations

Key Sustainability Definitions

When communicating topics in sustainability it is important to provide clear definitions to ensure the messaging is properly interpreted by the reader. Additionally, definitions give clarity, this is important when discussing technical topics in the realm of sustainability. Listed here are some commonly used words present in sustainability communications.

Anthropogenic

• Definition: Arising from human activity (mainly relating to environmental pollution).

  • Alternative Phrasing: Man-made

Aerosol

• Definition: The suspension of an extremely fine solid or liquid particle in atmospheric gas (ex: smoke).

  • Alternative Phrasing: small airborne particle

CH4

• Definition: A flammable gas that is the main component of natural gas.

  • Alternative Phrasing: Methane

CO2

• Definition: Atmospheric gas that forms when carbon is burned, a key contributor to green hosue gases.

  • Alternative Phrasing: Carbon Dioxide

PCBs

• Definition: Polychlorinated Biphenyls.carcinogenic chemicals from industrial manufacturing that are environmental and health toxins.

  • Alternative Phrasing: Industrial Pollutant

Green Infrastructure

• Definition: Natural green spaces that use natural proceesses to ameliorate environmental concerns such as, qater quality, run-off, habitat preservation, air quality, and more (ex: native gardens).

Environmental Justice

• Definition: The movement towards creating more equity for all people in the realm of the environment, particularly surrounding environmental regulations, health hazards, and equitable access to natural resources.

Environmental Sustainability

• Definition: The practice of responsible and mindful human interaction with the environment to avoid environmental degradation and preserve the planet for future generations.

Environmental Preservation

• Definition: To protect the environment from harmful human interaction and activities (ex: forest protections, sustainable logging practice).

Sustainable Development

• Definition: Meeting government developmental goals while simultaneously preserving the ability of natural processes to provide and protect natural resources and ecosystems.

Communications Best Practice Guides

External Resources: Communications Best Practice

Accessible here are various external sustainability-centric best practice guides to help municipalities communicate a wide spectrum of sustainability topics to community members.

The Psychology of Climate Change Communications

• Sub-header: "A guide for scientists, journalists, educators, political aides, and the interested public."

• Author: Center for Research on Environmental Decisions

  • Description: This guide helps professionals in sustainability fields communicate to the public. The guide details many biases and barriers to understanding of scientific sustainability topics and provides fixes to ensure the audience receives the information in an equitable and understandable manner.

The Green Infrastructure Toolkit

• Key Section: "Communication Strategies for Green Infrastructure."

• Author: Georgetown Climate Center

  • Description: This toolkit helps organizations communicate topics in sustainability (primarily green infrastructure) to communities and offers key insights and examples for media campaigns, written materials, workshops, presentations, and partnerships.

Communicating Sustainability

• Sub-header: "How to produce effective public campaigns."

• Author: UN Environment Program

  • Description: A guide for organizations that seek to communicate green energy initiatives, sustainability, waste management, and natural resource preservation to communities in an efficient and effective manner.

Media Design Best Practice Guides