Definitions - g

The process by which an organic material, such as biomass, is converted into synthetic gas, a mixture of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The synthetic gas can then be used to produce various synthetic fuel constituents.

The portion of charge current that goes into electrolytical production of hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolytic liquid. This current increases with increasing voltage and temperature.

A global, three-dimensional computer model of the climate system; GCM's are highly complex and they represent the effects of such factors as reflective and absorptive properties of atmospheric water vapor, greenhouse gas concentrations, clouds, annual and daily solar heating, ocean temperatures and ice boundaries. The most recent GCM's include global representations of the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface.

They are often used to model the effects of human induced climate change into the future; but the accuracy of the models are highly dependent upon:

• The accuracy of the initial starting conditions;
• The accuracy of how the climatic processes are modeled, and;
• The accuracy of the assumptions made in the model construction.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic materials have been altered using genetic engineering.

There are concerns that GMOs contribute to environmental concerns such as increased cancer risk, allergens, toxins, and contamination.

A geoexchange system is an electrically powered heating and cooling system for interior spaces. This system utilizes the earth (or a pond or lake) is both a heat source and a heat sink. Components of the system include a heat pump, a hydronic pump, a ground heat exchanger and a distribution subsystem. Most geoexchange systems utilize air ducting for the distribution system and polyethylene piping in the earth for the heat exchanger.

Pertaining to those processes that affect the form or shape of the surface of the earth.

The soils, sediments, and rock layers of the Earth's crust, both continental and beneath the ocean floors.

A theoretical horizontal wind blowing in a straight path, parallel to the isobars or contours, at a constant speed. The geostrophic wind results when the Coriolis force exactly balances the horizontal pressure gradient force.

A variety of fabrics made from recycled materials used in soil containment and stabilization.

Heat energy from within the earth. Often extracted as steam to either produce electricity or heat buildings.

A Geothermal heat pump is the pump system used in a ground heat transfer system to heat a property using the latent heat in the earth.

Land used to grow feed for animals being reared for meat and dairy production. Ghost acres are often in poorer countries, used to grow feed for cattle in richer nations, and so are not seen by consumers in rich countries, hence the term.

Goddard Institute of Space Studies – a US NASA unit.

A multi-year surplus accumulation of snowfall in excess of snowmelt on land and resulting in a very large mass of ice.

Glass bottles and jars can be recycled endlessly. Which means that unlike some other recycled products, a recycled bottle can be recycled into another glass bottle, and another, and so on forever.

The ratio of interior illuminance at a given point on a given plane to the exterior illuminance under overcast sky conditions.

The balance of the exchanges (incomes and losses) of carbon between the carbon reservoirs or between one specific loop (e.g., atmosphere biosphere) of the carbon cycle. An examination of the carbon budget of a pool or reservoir can provide information about whether the pool or reservoir is functioning as a source or sink for CO2.

A balance, which implies that globally the amount of incoming solar radiation must on average be equal to the sum of outgoing reflected solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation emitted by the climate system.

The average of the sea temperature in the first few meters of the oceans and the temperature 1.5 m above ground on land surfaces.

Note: This is very subjective, the method of calculation and extrapolation to synthesis temperature for regions where there is scant direct temperature measurement (such as at the Poles), varies a lot.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases are those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of thermal infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere itself, and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases are essential to maintaining the current temperature of the Earth; without them the planet would be uninhabitable.

Wikipedia Entry

A grey water system is a water processing system that uses slightly dirty water (as from a shower or basin) to allow it to then be reused for irrigation purposes. 

Grid connected refers to a solar panel electrical system which is connected to the mains power grid, so any excess power it generates can be fed back into the mains power grid. The owner of the solar panel system can often earn 'credits' for feeding in such power.

This refers to devices used to change DC Power into AC Power. Grid tie Inverters are different from regular Inverters in that they are designed to 'feed-into' the existing electric supply to your building.

An alternative phrase for Green Graffiti.

These heat pumps are underground coils to transfer heat from the ground to the inside of a building.

The supply of fresh water found beneath the Earth's surface, usually in aquifers, which supply wells and springs. Because ground water is a major source of drinking water, there is growing concern over contamination from leaching agricultural or industrial pollutants or leaking underground storage tanks.

Ground water entering near coastal waters which has been contaminated by landfill leachate, deep well injection of hazardous wastes, septic tanks, etc.

Guerrilla gardening describes the unauthorized cultivation of plants or crops on vacant public or private land. The aim being to improve the often neglected, barren or overgrown spaces. Often its also done as a form of political or social statement.

The act of guerrilla gardening is either often done overnight to avoid unwanted attention; or it is done in plain sight to get community involvement.

A current of warm ocean water that flows from the Gulf of Mexico to the coasts of Europe, providing heat that keeps Europe warmer in winter than regions of North America at the same latitude.