Hypercompetition
Often a characteristic of new markets and industries, hypercompetition occurs when technologies or offerings are so new that standards and rules are in flux, resulting in competitive advantages that cannot be sustained. In response, companies must constantly compete in price or quality, or innovate in supply chain management, new value creation, or have enough financial […]
Growth
In macroeconomic terms, the increase in the value of goods and services produced by an economy or activity measured as the rate of increase in real GDP after adjusting for inflation. New definitions of growth in terms of sustainable management seek to define it not by the growth in the value of goods and services, […]
Greenhouse Gas
Gases produced from human activities that trap solar radiation and thus contribute to climate change and the destruction of the ozone layer. These include: CO2 Carbon Dioxide CH4 Methane HFCs Hydrofluorocarbons (a class of several gasses) N2O Dinitrogen Oxide PFCs Perfluorocarbons (a class of several gasses) SF6 Sulfur Hexafluoride
Green Design
The design of products, services, buildings, or experiences that are sensitive to environmental issues and achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in terms of energy and materials.
Green
A common metaphor referring to environmental association based on the shared secondary color of many plants. It is often used to associate products, organizations, political parties, or policies with environmentally sensitivity.
GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator)
A recent (1990s) indicator developed to correct acknowledged deficiencies in the GDP that don’t account for all costs or benefits of human activities. It is an attempt to provide a more accurate (quality of life) indicator for people than the GDP does for governments and corporations. For example, natural catastrophes and industrial accidents contribute to […]
GNP (Gross National Product)
The total value of newly produced products and services produced in a year by a country’s companies (including profits from capital held abroad). Transactions in existing goods, such as second-hand cars, are not included, as these do not involve the production of new goods.
Global Warming
A term for the gradual, average increase of temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Local temperatures around the world, however, may increase or decrease in varying amounts. Global warming is accelerated by the greenhouse gases expelled into the atmosphere from human industry.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
A measure of economic production (and often standard of living) of a country. GDP calculates a nations total economic output of products and services. The GDP is problematic as a sustainability indicator because it considers the amount of money spent in a country in isolation, assuming more money spent means a healthier economy. Yet the […]
