Glossary

What is Clearcutting? July 25, 2016 Clearcutting is a method of tree removal where all trees in an area (approximately 20 acres or more) are removed. It’s the most common form of tree removal due to it being the easiest and most efficient way to handle lumber. In the Canadian province of Ontario, clear-cuts can remove trees from areas as large as 10,000 hectares. Clearcutting has been a controversial subject because of its environmental impact. While those who favour this method argue that it allows…

What are Clean Fuels? July 25, 2016 Clean Fuels are fuels that are treated with ethanol to produce fewer greenhouse emissions. There are numerous types of clean fuels based on the percentage of the ethanol or biodiesel mixed with conventional fuel. Ethanol was initially used as a fuel and as a form of alcohol among fifteenth-century Scots in what was called Moonshine Whiskey. Centuries later when Henry Ford unveiled his Ford Model T, it was intended for these machines to run on ethanol but the…

What is Clean Energy? July 25, 2016 Definition Clean energy is energy that is produced through methods that do not release greenhouse gases or any other pollutants. Clean energy can be generated from renewable sources like solar and air currents. Want to Know More It is important to note that the terms renewable energy and clean energy are not interchangeable. Not all renewable energy methods are clean energy. For example, geothermal power is renewable energy source but some of the ways it can be processed…

What is the Clean Air Act? July 25, 2016 The Clean Air Act was a bill passed by the United States Congress in 1970 with major revisions in 1977 and 1990. The act outlines regulations for air quality and the ozone layer above American territory and the role of the responsibilities of the United States Protection Agency about maintaining those laws. The revisions in 1977 and 1990 outlined new targets for air pollution and recognized new air pollution threats such as acid rain and damage…

What is the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX)? July 25, 2016 The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is the world’s first, and North America’s only, voluntary and legally binding greenhouse gas trading market. Since 2003, it has been the trading center for six greenhouse gases between businesses, who have committed themselves to reducing their emissions by six percent by 2010. In the time since it started, the CCX has become associated with other similar exchanges including the European Climate Exchange, Chicago Climate Futures Exchange, Montreal Climate Exchange…