What is net-zero?????

As we were considering our move and lifestyle change, a definition was in order.  Net-zero is a tough word to define.  Given that everything that humans or animals do has some impact on the earth nothing is truly net-zero.  I guess that if energy can never be created or destroyed only change form then everything is net-zero.  What does building a net-zero home mean.  Just building a house takes energy.  The construction of solar panels takes energy.  The splitting of wood takes energy.  Everything that happens on this planet takes some form of energy.

It seemed that some sources claim net-zero only if you use all solar technology or green building techniques (another tough thing to define).  Others feel that burning wood, as long as it is sustainably harvested is net-zero.  How does one then create a net-zero home?  German passive house use energy.

I feel that net-zero is a personal definition.  My definition, for my life, is that it is my choice of lifestyle in which I strive to minimize/equalize my impact on the planet and not take more than I require to sustain/enjoy life and leave some for future generations.

One reference that I used early on was the book "Radical Simplicity".  This helped me define my net-zero in that if I sat down with 7 friends and we shared a pizza with 8 slices each of us would get to have one piece.  That is unless one or more us decided to give a part of our piece to someone who needed it more.  To confirm this I posed the question to my most reliable source. My 6 year-old son.  His answer only confirmed mine.