Environmental Ethical Dilemma Terminology

Ethical Framework - a complex structure of concepts and ways in which we ought to handle certain situations. An ethical framework is heavily based on moral determinations at a personal and social level. A person's ethical framework is learned throughout life and affects nearly every aspect of decisions they make through time.

Environmental Issues - any issue in society at any level that has a relationship with the environment. Nearly everything can be traced back to being an environmental issue. Some examples would be water rights, pollution, deforestation, global warming, and habitat destruction.

Greenspace - an open space, especially in an urban area, that is comprised of grass, trees, shrubs, and other flora. A greenspace is undeveloped and provides opportunity for recreation, wildlife habitat, and relaxation. Greenspace can also be referred to as a greenbelt. Greenspace can increase property value for those around it and improve quality of life.

Continuum - a set of thoughts or positions that can be organized along a single plane. An example of an easy continuum is a series of opinion that could be situated from not likely to highly likely. Every respondent would be able to place themselves on this continuum.

Urban Settings - the context and surroundings around a particular urban area. To be urban is usually defined as being in a city. Some typical things found in urban settings are high density living, high numbers of residents, many businesses, large buildings, harsh structural landscapes, and little naturally growing vegetation.