So you’re green and hip, but is your language green and hip? How many of the environmental terms from ad agency Cramer-Krasselt‘s Cultural Dictionary (1 MB PDF) do you know?
Whatever you don’t know, impress your eco-friends by working these terms into your language. Or see how many you could use as often as you can. And, of course, use them with style! No term is hip unless used with a little style, and it’ll only be hip if used by hip people like you!
Bootleg trail (n)
A path that has been created by its users, such as mountain bikers or ATV riders, rather than by official designers.
Carborexic (n)
A person who has an unhealthy obsession with minimizing their carbon usage. Related: Energyexia.
Carbon trading (n)
A system which provides entities with permits for how much pollution they are allowed to create. These permits can then be bought and sold amongst other entities.
Chemical equator (n)
A chemical barrier in the atmosphere which separates the polluted air of the earth’s Northern Hemisphere from that of the relatively unpolluted Southern Hemisphere.
Dinosaur wine (n)
A term to refer to oil or its derivatives.
Eco-embedded (adj)
Not relying on consumers to make eco-friendly choices, but instead removing the decision from their hands with either government or business actions. Thus, eco-consciousness is embedded in daily life.
Ecoflation (n)
The increased cost of doing business due to the rising concerns over eco-consciousness.
Ecomodding (v)
Modifying, or modding, one’s car to make it more fuel efficient.
Ecosexual (n)
One who chooses their partner based upon a shared interest in eco-conscious causes.
Edible estates (n) Coined by U.S. campaigner Fritz Haeg, it refers to the practice of digging up front lawns and replacing them with edible plants and greens.
Energyexia (n)
The strict following of a regime to reduce one’s own carbon footprint. Related: Carborexic.
Freedomlawn (n)
Residential land set aside to cultivate natural plant life that grows without cultivation, chemicals or cutting.
Gashole (n)
A negative term to refer to a gas hog…usually associated with SUV drivers.
Gas sipper (n)
This 30-year-old term referring to a car that “sips lightly” found new relevance in 2008 with the rise in gas prices.
Green audit (n)
The act of assessing a business based upon its perceived adherence to environmentally
friendly practices.
Green-collar (v)
Workers employed in environmental and sustainability related fields. Think organic farmer.
Greenprint (n)
A government’s or community’s environmental plan. Also a verb to make such a plan.
Greyjing (n)
A nickname for Beijing that refers to its polluted skies.
Nano-solar (n) Small energy-absorbing panels that can fit on everything from windows to backpacks.
Natural capitalism (n)
An economic theory which seeks to combine the new found concern with eco-friendliness with business interests in order to maximize profit while minimizing environmental impact.
Negawatts (n)
The latest word for energy efficiency, coined by Amory Lovins.
Popcorn storm (n)
A term that refers to a short, unexpected rain shower that disappears as abruptly as it appeared.
Rewilding (v)
The process of returning an area to its original and natural vegetative state.
Ruralpolitan (n)
A professional who leaves the city for a rural area, but maintains their professional life.
Scuppie (n)
Socially conscious urban professional.
SRLI (n)
The Sampled Red List Index. An index that attempts to measure the threat of extinction to the various species of life on the planet.
Upcycle (v)
To give an object a better and more upscale existence.
Witches’ knickers (n)
Plastic bags caught in trees or bushes.
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