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Carbon Glossary

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Carbon Glossary

A user-friendly glossary that explains key terms such as carbon footprint, offset, and net zero in clear, age-appropriate language. Each term includes simple examples drawn from everyday school or community contexts, helping learners connect scientific ideas with real-life choices. The glossary supports classroom discussions, inquiry projects, and writing tasks linked to the Science and Social Sciences learning areas, building confidence in sustainability vocabulary.

Category Tag

Description

Core Terms

  • Carbon Footprint The total amount of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) released into the air by a person, school, or family, usually measured in kilograms or tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e).
  • Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. These gases cause climate change.
  • Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) A unit that combines all greenhouse gases into one number by comparing them to carbon dioxide. It helps us measure total impact.
  • Climate Change The long-term warming of our planet caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases from human activities like burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests.

Measurement & Action Terms

  • Emissions The gases released into the atmosphere. When we “emit” CO2, we’re adding to the greenhouse effect.
  • Offset / Carbon Offset Paying to support a project (like planting trees) that absorbs the same amount of carbon you’ve emitted—used to “cancel out” some of your footprint.
  • Sustainable Something that can be done long-term without harming people, the planet or economic growth. For example, using solar power is more sustainable than burning coal.
  • Renewable Energy Energy from sources that won’t run out—like the sun, wind, or water. These create little or no greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Carbon Neutral When you balance the amount of carbon you emit with the amount you reduce or offset, your net emissions are zero.
  • Zero Carbon A bigger goal: reducing as much carbon as possible and only offsetting what you can’t avoid. Countries and companies aim for net zero by 2050.

Carbon at School

  • Energy Use Electricity and heating in classrooms, devices, lights, and hot water all use energy. If that energy comes from fossil fuels, it increases your carbon footprint.
  • School Transport How students and teachers travel—cars, buses, biking, walking—all affect emissions. Cars and buses that use petrol or diesel create more CO2.
  • School Lunch Food that is processed, packaged, or flown in from far away adds to emissions. Meat and dairy usually have a higher footprint than vegetables or grains.
  • Waste and Recycling Throwing things away, especially food and plastics, creates methane in landfills. Recycling and composting can lower emissions.
  • School Events Field trips, fundraisers, or sports days can increase carbon footprints if they involve travel, electricity, or lots of new materials.

Carbon at Home

  • Household Energy Electricity, heating, and appliances at home all use energy. Using energy-efficient lightbulbs and turning things off saves power and reduces emissions.
  • Food Choices Local, seasonal, and plant-based foods tend to have a smaller footprint. Meat, especially beef and lamb, creates more CO2 and methane.
  • Travel and Holidays Driving and flying burn fossil fuels. Biking, walking, or taking public transport is better for the planet.
  • Stuff We Buy Every product—from phones to clothes—uses energy and materials to make and ship. Reusing, sharing, and buying less helps the planet.
  • Water Use Clean water takes energy to pump and heat. Shorter showers and turning off taps helps save water and lower energy use.

Low-Carbon Technologies for Schools & Homes

  • Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Panels) Devices placed on rooftops that capture sunlight and turn it into electricity.
  • Why it matters: Reduces the need to use electricity from fossil fuels. Can power lights, computers, and more.
  • LED Lights (Light Emitting Diodes) A type of lighting that uses much less energy than traditional bulbs and lasts much longer.
  • Why it matters: Schools can save energy and money just by switching to LEDs in classrooms, halls, and outdoor lights.
  • Smart Thermostats Electronic controls that adjust heating or cooling automatically based on who’s in the room or the time of day.
  • Why it matters: Cuts down energy waste, especially during weekends or holidays when schools are empty.
  • Heat Pumps An efficient way to heat and cool buildings by moving heat in or out, rather than creating it by burning gas or coal.
  • Why it matters: A school or home using heat pumps instead of gas heaters produces far fewer emissions.
  • Bike Racks and Safe Paths Not a “technology” in the electric sense, but simple infrastructure like bike racks and paths makes biking or walking to school safer and more common.
  • Why it matters: Fewer cars = less CO2 from transport.
  • Composting Systems On-site compost bins or tumblers help turn food scraps and garden waste into soil.
  • Why it matters: Prevents methane from landfills and teaches students about the food cycle.
  • Smart Power Strips Power strips that automatically turn off unused electronics like TVs, printers, or classroom computers.
  • Why it matters: Reduces “phantom energy” used by devices on standby mode.
  • Low-Flow Taps & Toilets Special taps and toilets that use much less water.
  • Why it matters: Heating water takes energy—so saving water saves emissions too.
  • Double Glazing / Insulated Windows Windows with two layers of glass to keep buildings warm in winter and cool in summer.
  • Why it matters: Saves energy used for heating or air conditioning.
  • Carbon Footprint Apps & Monitors Apps or classroom monitors that show energy use or CO2 emissions in real time.
  • Why it matters: Makes invisible carbon visible—encourages action.

Local Food & Growing: Low-Carbon Choices

  • Local Growing Growing food near where it’s eaten—such as in school gardens, community plots, or home backyards.
  • Why it matters: Local food doesn’t travel far, so it creates fewer emissions from trucks, planes, and packaging.
  • Vegetable Gardening Planting and growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Even small spaces (like pots or windowsills) can work.
  • Why it matters: Homegrown food skips the entire industrial food system—no shipping, no plastic, no emissions.
  • Seasonal Eating Choosing foods that grow naturally in your area during the current season, instead of out-of-season imports.
  • Why it matters: Seasonal food uses less artificial heating, lighting, and storage—and it often tastes better!
  • Farmers’ Markets / Local Produce Boxes Buying food directly from local farmers reduces transport and supports sustainable practices.
  • Why it matters: Lower emissions and stronger local food systems.
  • Composting Food Scraps Turning fruit and veggie waste into compost for gardens instead of sending it to landfill.
  • Why it matters: Cuts methane emissions from landfill and returns nutrients to the soil.
  • Regenerative/Permacutural Gardening A way of gardening that improves soil health, increases biodiversity, and stores more carbon in the ground.
  • Why it matters: Healthy soil is a carbon sink—it actually removes CO2 from the air.
  • Garden-to-Table Learning Using school gardens to teach science, nutrition, and environmental care. Students can grow, harvest, cook, and compost.
  • Why it matters: Builds eco-literacy and lifelong climate-friendly habits.

Want to Add More?

This glossary is just a starting point. If there’s a word or idea you think should be added—whether it’s a new low-carbon technology, a local growing method, or anything else that supports a climate-friendly future—we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can keep learning, growing, and reducing our footprints—one small step at a time.

Share Your Ideas

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