Jargon Buster - Definitions of Environmental Concepts S-Z

Statutory Nuisance A statutory nuisance occurs if a business or industry has a negative impact on external premises such as neighbouring residential or public areas. Statutory nuisance can occur from the creation of noise, smoke, fumes, gases, dust, steam, odours, effluvia, the keeping of animals, deposits and refuse and any other material that escapes from your property.

The general public can issue complaints about a business that they believe to be causing statutory nuisance to their Environmental Health Officer (EHO). If a statutory nuisance is found to exist then the EHO can enforce the abatement of that particular process or restrict and limit the cause of the nuisance. However, there is no legal definition of statutory nuisance and the EHO will decide its existence. All EHOs are trained to make this judgement.

Sustainable Development The World Commission on Environment and Development first considered sustainable development in 1987. A Report titled 'Our Common Future' was published under the direction of the Prime Minister of Norway Mrs Gro Harlem Bruntland, and is commonly known as the Bruntand Report. The report writes that sustainable development is: 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'.

It continues and adds that 'sustainable development recognises the interdependence of environmental, social and economic systems and promotes equality and justice through empowerment and a sense of global citizenship. Whilst we can not be sure what the future may bring, a preferable future is a more sustainable one'.

Solar Power Solar is the use of energy from the sun to generate power. There are two main forms of solar power:

• Solar heating
• Photovoltaics

In Britain it is possible to use energy from the sun to heat water from May-September. Solar power is beneficial to the environment because it reduces the amount of oil or gas that would otherwise be used to heat water.

Photovoltaics (PV) are cells that convert energy from the sun directly into electricity. It is a growing industry in the UK.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is offering grants to businesses for the installation of solar power through the Energy Saving Trust. To submit an application please go to www.est.org.uk.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) These are organic chemicals that easily vaporise at room temperature. They contain carbon and have no colour, taste or smell. Methane is the most common example of a VOC and is known to influence global warming. VOCs are produced by vehicle exhausts and the evaporation of solvents (in paints for example).

Waste Hierarchy The waste hierarchy describes the best way to dispose of waste when considering waste management options:

• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle

This theory is implemented in regions of the UK through local councils and authorities with landfill being the last option for all types of waste. It offers an order that can be used when considering waste management options, starting with a review of how less waste might be produced. The government has encouraged the use of the waste hierarchy under the scheme of Best Practicable Environmental Option for waste management.