Liquidity
The ability to quickly buy or sell a particular security, investment, or asset in a short period of time (under one year) without causing a significant movement in its price. The essential characteristic of a liquid market is that there are ready and willing buyers and sellers at all times. Sustainable businesses operate in ways […]
LOHAS (Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability)
Describes an estimated $209 billion U.S. marketplace for goods and services focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living. The consumers attracted to this market represent a sizable group in this country. Approximately 19% percent of the adults in the U.S., or 41 million people, are currently considered LOHAS Consumers. This […]
Limits
The idea that there are natural thresholds that cannot be exceeded without risking the health of the entire system. Limits are essential to the idea that natural capital must be conserved. The concept is also at the heart of several prominent economic theories and many people’s inability to regard change or conservation as necessary since […]
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
An examination, like an audit, of the total impact of a product or service’s manufacturing, use, and disposal in terms of material and energy. There are few standards yet in measuring and assessing these impacts but a Life Cycle Analysis is usually wider in scope than similar assessments, such as the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) […]
Leverage
The ability of a company or individual to operate financially. Leverage is calculated by dividing total debt by total assets. Companies with high leverage are able to operate more freely and take advantage of opportunities that can control or create larger financial assets with a small amount of capital.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)® Rating
A registered system of rating existing and new buildings, interiors, and other components based on environmental effectiveness. The LEED checklist integrates over 60 different criteria and results in certification at 4 levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Resources: National Resource Defense Fund. (n.d.). LEED Certification Information. In NRDC: Building Green. Retrieved March 14, 2011 from […]
