What is biogenic carbon?

Biogenic CO2 refers to carbon in wood, paper, grass trimmings and other biofuels that was originally removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and, under natural conditions, would eventually cycle back to the atmosphere as CO2 due to degradation processes. 

What is embodied carbon?

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production (the extraction, transport and manufacturing) stages of a product’s life. Embodied carbon primarily occurs in the construction phase of a building. It encompasses emissions stemming from material production, transportation, installation and disposal. These emissions occur upfront in the construction process and contribute to the building’s carbon footprint before it becomes operational.

What is operational carbon?

Operational carbon refers to the ongoing emissions resulting from a building’s energy consumption during its operational phase, meaning that its impact will be measured based on day-to-day activities and increase over time with the operation of the project. 

What is circularity?

Circularity, in a broad sense, refers to the state or quality of being in a cycle, encompassing both physical shapes (like a circle) and processes (like a circular economy) where resources are reused and recycled instead of becoming waste. For a deep dive on circular economy, visit riverreporter.com/stories/all-in-the-numbers,144090.

What is materiality?

In the building industry, materiality encompasses:

• the selection and application of materials 
• consideration of the aesthetic, functional, and environmental impacts 

and allowing those considerations to influence the overall design and character of a building. 

What is biophilia?

Biophilia (or the biophilia hypothesis) is the innate instinct to connect with nature and other living beings.

Biophilla translates as “love of life,” from the Greek words bio (life) and philia (love). Coined in 1964 by German-born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in “The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness,” it is described by Fromm as “the passionate love of life and all that is alive.’ Biophilia helps us reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, improve mood and cognition performance. It reduces pain, stablizes blood pressure, strengthens our immune system, reduces stress, and makes for faster recovery in healing. Experts believe it is ingrained in our DNA.

Sources:
www.epa.gov/greenerproducts;

www.cove.inc/blog/embodied-carbon-vs-operational-carbon 

www.cignaglobal.com/blog/body-mind/connection-with-nature-and-biophilia-help-mental-wellbeing