Key Concepts

Climate Change Adaptation
Actions to reduce the vulnerability of communities and ecosystems to the effects of climate change.
Energy Self-Consumption
Production and use of renewable energy by households or communities to meet their own needs.
Biodiversity
Variety of life forms in a given area, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.
Climate Change | Emergency | Crisis
Long-term alteration of weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
Environmental Conservation
Protection and responsible management of natural resources to ensure their future availability.
Responsible Consumption
Conscious choice of products and services that minimize environmental and social impacts.
Pollution
Introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment that disrupts its balance and affects living organisms.

• Water pollution: the degradation of rivers, lakes, and oceans by industrial, agricultural, or domestic waste that affects aquatic ecosystems.
• Air pollution: the presence of harmful gases and particles in the atmosphere that damage human and animal health, as well as the environment in general.
• Soil pollution: the accumulation of toxic substances in the soil that reduces its fertility and affects organisms and crops.

Deforestation

The massive removal of forests, generally due to human activities, which causes a loss of biodiversity and an increase in CO₂.

Sustainable development

A development model that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Greenhouse effect

The natural process by which certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere, intensified by human activity.

Ecology

The branch of biology that studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment, including physical, chemical, and biological factors.

Circular Economy
An economic model that seeks to keep resources in use for as long as possible, reducing waste through reuse, repair, and recycling.
Local Economy
Support for the consumption and production of food and goods within the community to strengthen its autonomy.
Ecosystem
A system formed by a community of living organisms and the physical environment in which they interact, exchanging energy and matter.
Environmental Education
An educational process that promotes knowledge and awareness about caring for the environment.
Energy Efficiency
The rational use of energy to obtain the same benefit with lower consumption and less environmental impact.
Renewable Energies
Clean and inexhaustible energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal.

• Solar energy: Energy obtained from the sun and transformed into electricity or heat using solar panels.
• Wind energy: Energy produced by the wind as it moves wind turbines that generate electricity.
• Hydropower: Energy generated by the movement of water, usually in rivers or dams.
• Geothermal energy: Energy that harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity or heating.
• Biomass: Energy obtained from organic matter such as plant remains or agricultural waste.
• Tidal energy: Energy produced by harnessing the movement of the tides.

Non renewable Energies
Resources that exist in limited quantities and are depleted with use, such as oil, gas, and minerals.

• Petroleum: a fossil fuel used to produce energy and manufacture plastics, which takes millions of years to form.
• Natural gas: a fossil fuel used to generate energy and heat, and whose availability is limited.
• Coal: a solid fossil resource used to produce electricity, with a high environmental impact.
• Minerals: materials extracted from the Earth, such as iron or copper, which are not renewed on a human timescale.
• Rare earth elements: a group of uncommon metallic minerals used in advanced technology, such as chips, batteries, and solar panels.

Reforestation

Planting trees in degraded areas to restore ecosystems and improve environmental quality.

Renaturalization

The process of restoring degraded ecosystems so they recover their natural functions and biodiversity with minimal human intervention.

Ecological restoration

The recovery of damaged ecosystems so they function naturally again.

Ecological connectivity

The creation of green corridors that allow the movement of species between habitats. Urban ecosystems: Integrating nature into cities, such as parks or green roofs, to improve the environment.

Healthy soil

Restoring soil fertility and structure to support plant and animal life.

Native species

Protecting or reintroducing species native to a territory to maintain ecological balance.

Invasive species control

Eliminating or managing non-native species that threaten local ecosystems.

Environmental monitoring

Tracking changes in the ecosystem to evaluate the success of rewilding.

Ecological resilience

The capacity of a restored ecosystem to adapt and recover from disturbances.

Ecosystem services

Benefits that ecosystems provide to people, such as clean water, food, climate regulation, and pollination.

Food sovereignty

The right of peoples to decide how to produce, distribute, and consume their food in a fair, healthy, and sustainable way.

Local production

Promoting food grown and processed near communities to ensure access. Food sovereignty: the right of peoples to decide what, how, and where to produce their food.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that protect the environment and natural resources in the long term.

• Social equity: ensuring that all groups have fair access to healthy and nutritious food.
• Crop diversity: promoting a variety of foods to strengthen food security and biodiversity.
• Agroecology: an agricultural production system that combines traditional and scientific knowledge to care for the ecosystem.
• Food security: ensuring that all people have sufficient access to nutritious and safe food.
• Seed conservation: protecting and using local seeds to maintain the genetic diversity of crops.
• Food resilience: the capacity of the food system to adapt and recover from crises or environmental changes.
• Protection of agricultural ecosystems: caring for the land, water, and biodiversity that support food production.

Economic sustainability

The ability to generate wealth without harming the environment or depleting natural resources.

Social sustainability

A dimension of sustainable development that seeks equity, well-being, and quality of life for all people.

Economic sustainability

The capacity to generate wealth without harming the environment or depleting natural resources.