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Ireland’s Environment 2012
154
Effluent
Liquid wastes.
Effort Sharing Decision
An EU initiative aimed at reducing emissions from sectors
in Ireland that are not covered by the Emissions Trading
Scheme.
Electromagnetic Radiation
A non-ionising form of energy generated by electrical
charges or magnetic fields.
Emissions Trading Scheme
The EU’s cornerstone climate-change mitigation
programme, implemented in Ireland by the EPA.
Endocrine Disruptor
A substance which either mimics or blocks the effect
of hormones which regulate various bodily functions.
Endocrine System
A system of glands, each of which secretes a type
of hormone to regulate various bodily functions.
Energy efficiency
Achievement of the same or improved performance
with less energy.
Erosion
Wearing away of earth or rock by the effects of rain,
wind, sea or rivers or by the action of toxic substances.
Eutrophication
The enrichment of water by nutrients, especially
compounds of nitrogen and/or phosphorus, causing an
accelerated growth of algae and higher forms of plant life
to produce an undesirable disturbance to the balance of
organisms present in the water and to the quality of the
water concerned.
Fen
An area of waterlogged peat, which, unlike bog,
is alkaline or only slightly acid.
Ghost estate
An unfinished or unoccupied housing estate.
Global warming
The trapping of additional energy in the earth’s climate
system caused by increased atmospheric concentrations
of greenhouse gases such as CO
2
, CH
4
and N
2
O, released
by human activities.
Green economy
Policies and innovations to enable society to use
resources efficiently and enhance the economy and
human wellbeing, while maintaining the natural systems
that sustain us.
Green infrastructure
An interconnected network of green space that conserves
natural ecosystem values and functions and provides
associated benefits to human populations.
Green Tenders
An action plan, launched in January 2012, to assist
public authorities to plan and implement green public
procurement (GPP) successfully
Greenhouse gases
Gaseous constituents of the atmosphere that absorb/
trap infrared (thermal) radiation which is mainly emitted
by the earth’s surface, and thereby influence the earth’s
temperature.
Groundwater
Water that occupies pores and crevices in rock and soil,
below the surface and above a layer of impermeable material.
Habitat
The dwelling place of a species or community, providing
a particular set of environmental conditions (e.g. forest
floor, sea shore).
Hazardous waste
Waste displaying properties that make it hazardous
to human health or the environment.
Heavy metals
Elements such as mercury, cadmium and lead that occur
naturally in the environment but can be toxic to humans,
animals and plants at elevated concentrations.
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
The forcing open of fissures in subterranean rocks
by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially
to extract oil or gas.