Environment vocabulary

Word

Definition

Example

environment

the natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, especially as affected by human activity

Picking up litter is a simple way to help protect the environment.

environmental

relating to the natural world and concerning the impact of human activity on its condition

A survey revealed a number of environmental issues concerning the development of the land for housing, most notably, that it was the habitat of a rare breed of frog.

environmentalist

a person who chooses a lifestyle that is designed to minimise their impact on the natural environment and who campaigns for environmental issues.

Plans to build a new road alongside the lake drew fierce oppositions from environmentalists

environmentally-friendly

not harmful to the environment.

There are many environmentally-friendly cleaning products on the market that don't contain chemicals that damage the environment

natural environment

the natural world as opposed to, for example, a working environment.

When the injured seal had been nursed back to health in the rescue centre, it was returned to its natural environment

environmental hazard

a substance or an event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment.

The illegal storage of toxic waste presents a significant environmental hazard.

environmental disaster

a catastrophic event affecting the environment due to human activity

When the oil tanker ran aground, it caused an environmental disaster from which it took the local wildlife many years to recover.

conservation

the protection of plants, animals and natural resources, usually by planned human action

It was Dimitri's dream to get a job in conservation

conservationist

a person who takes action to protect the environment from damage caused by humans

Conservationists are working hard to protect the breeding grounds of sea turtles.

conservation programme

an organised plan to protect a specific natural area or aspect of the natural environment.

Next year I'm planning to volunteer on a conservation programme in Spain which researches dolphins.

wildlife conservation

the protection of wildlife

That candidate promotes wildlife conservation as a political proposal.

nature conservation

work that protects natural resources including wildlife, rivers, forests and other natural landscapes.

She is doing work in nature conservation in the Amazon region.

energy conservation

the effort made to use less energy.

My community is working towards a program for energy conservation by turning off streetlights until 8:00

wildlife

animals that live in the wild in natural conditions. Birds, fish and insects are often included in the definition.

Every evening, a wide variety of wildlife came to the waterhole to drink.

local wildlife

the wildlife to be found in a particular area.

The children did a school project on their local wildlife.

native wildlife

wildlife that naturally lives in a particular area and is not there as a result of human intervention.

When cats were introduced to the island, they hunted the native wildlife and cause a rapid decline in many species.

creature

any living thing that can move independently.

There are some fascinating creatures living in the deep ocean that we know hardly anything about.

fauna

the animals of a particular region or habitat.

The group of scientists lived in tents while studying the fauna of the remote mountain region.

flora

the plants of a particular region or habitat.

Much of the native flora of Australia isn't found naturally anywhere else in the world.

vegetation

the collective name for all the plants growing in a particular place or area. - Tropical regions are known for their dense vegetation.

Tropical regions are known for their dense vegetation

species

a group of animals or plants that have similar characteristics and can reproduce together.

Lions are a species of wild cat.

endangered species

a species that is in serious danger of extinction.

Rhinoceros make up the most endangered species of 2020.

threatened species

a species that is likely to become endangered in the near future.

The polar bear is a threatened species, likely to become an endangered specie in the next 5 years.

rare species

an uncommon or scarce species.

The giant tortoise of the Galapagos Island is a rare species that you won't find anywhere else in the world.

protected species

a species which it is forbidden to harm by law

The Endangered Species Act has a list of protected species regionally and worldwide.

extinct species

a species of which there are no more alive.

Dodos, sabre-tooth cats and the tasmanian tiger are some extinct species among several more.

ecosystem

all the living things in an environment and the complex relationship between each of them and that environment.

Coral reefs have a delicately balanced ecosystem which can be seriously damaged by overfishing

delicately balanced ecosystem

an ecosystem where the loss of a key species, or several significant species, can seriously affect it.

If the plankton dies out in the ocean that delicately balanced ecosystem is most likely to break.

fragile ecosystem

an ecosystem that does not adapt easily to change and is easily destroyed by human or physical impact.

Environmental campaigners fear that drilling could damage the fragile ecosystem.

mother nature

nature or weather considered as a force that controls all living things.

It's far better to try and work with Mother Nature than again it.

diverse

varied and very different from one another.

They were able to grow a diverse range of crops in the rich, fertile soil

biodiversity

the variety of animal and plant life found in a particular place.

It is important to preserve biodiversity in order to protect our ecosystems.

loss of biodiversity

when species become extinct in an area and there is no longer such a great variety of species.

The loss of biodiversity could produce a decrease in a region's value.

ecology

the relationship between animals, plants, people and their environment in a particular area, or the study of this.

Ben studied the coastal ecology of Lundy Island in his final year at university.

habitat

the natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism.

The loss of their natural habitat through deforestation is a serious threat to the orang utan in Borneo

to inhabit

to live in a certain place.

The rainforest is inhabited by many different species of monkey.

natural surroundings

the habitat in which a species would naturally live.

The best thing about going on safari is seeing the animals in their natural surroundings rather than caged up in a zoo.

to adapt

to change or adjust in response to new conditions

With the loss of large areas of countryside to housing development, foxes have had to adapt to living in towns.

to evolve

change or develop gradually.

Scientists now believe that humans evolved from apes.

evolution

the process by which living things slowly change and develop over a long period of time.

The theory of evolution states that all life on Earth today evolved over millions of years from simple organisms.

thrive

to grow and develop well or quickly.

The leopard seal is well adapted to the cold and thrives in the fish-rich waters of the Arctic.

marine

related to or found in the sea

Marine wildlife is badly affected by the amount of waste plastic in our oceans.

nocturnal

active at night.

Almost all species of bats are nocturnal, preferring to hunt or search for food at night rather than during the day.

migrate

to move from one region or habitat to another, usually when the season changes.

Many birds migrate south to warmer climates in the winter.

extinction

being completely destroyed so that it no longer exists.

The dodo, a flightless bird once found in Mauritius, was hunted to extinction by 1681.

dying out

to become increasingly less common, almost to the point of extinction.

Tigers are in serious danger of dying out in the wild.

climate

the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place.

Egypt has a hot, dry climate with very little rainfall.

climate change

a change in global or regional temperature patterns

Climate change has led to the melting of the polar ice caps.

combat climate change

to stop or reverse the effects of climate change.

It is only by countries working together to combat climate change that we will save our planet.

natural resources

materials or substances that exist in nature, such as coal, oil, and timber, and can be used by people

The success of humans as a species has been largely due to their ability to exploit the Earth's natural resources.

rich in natural resources

having a lot of natural resources.

It is believed that Antarctica is rich in natural resources but many fear an ecological disaster if mining is allowed to go ahead.

fossil fuels

a fuel, such as coal, oil and gas, that is formed in the earth from dead plants and animals.

Fossil fuels give off large amounts of carbon when burned which is damaging to the atmosphere.

atmosphere

the layer of gases surrounding the Earth or any other planet.

Asteroids usually burn up when they enter the Earth's atmosphere.

ozone layer

a layer of the colourless gas ozone that exists high above the Earth's surface and which prevents harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching the Earth.

Without the ozone layer, it would be very difficult for anything to survive on Earth.

carbon dioxide

– a gas formed when carbon is burned, or when people or animals breathe out.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen which helps to keep our atmosphere healthy.

carbon monoxide

a poisonous gas formed by the burning of carbon, especially in the form of car fuel.

You can't smell carbon monoxide which makes it a deadly killer, so it's important to install a carbon monoxide alarm near your gas boiler.

greenhouse gas

a gas in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, that absorbs radiation and gives off heat.

Greenhouse gases contribute to the problem of global warming.

greenhouse effect

the gradual warming of the surface of the Earth due to greenhouse gases being trapped in the atmosphere above the Earth.

The greenhouse effect is believed by many to be responsible for climate change.

erosion

the gradual wearing-away of something by the natural forces of the wind, rain and water.

Crop rotation is important to ensure the soil isn't left bare and subject to erosion by the wind and rain.

coastal erosion

damage to the coastline caused mainly by waves.

The storm caused coastal erosion in the biggest beaches of Florida.

soil erosion

removal of the upper layer of the soil, mainly by water or wind.

Soil erosion in this area is a result of monocrops.

wind erosion

a process where soil or rocks are worn away by the wind

The altitude of her lands makes them prone to wind erosion.

deforestation

the cutting down or burning of all the trees in an area.

Deforestation results in the loss of habitat for millions of species, leads to soil erosion and, according to scientists, is a major cause of climate change.

land clearance

the process of removing vegetation to create new areas of land suitable for farming.

Land clearance leaves the soil bare and at risk of serious erosion.

logging

to cut down trees for their timber.

Uncontrolled logging is destroying vast areas of our precious rainforests.

pollution

damage to water, air or land by harmful substances and waste materials.

In some cities, the air pollution is so bad that people have to wear face masks when they go out.

to pollute

to contaminate water, air or land with harmful substances and waste materials.

In many countries, heavy industry continues to seriously pollute the environment.

emissions

the production and discharge of something, especially gas.

Many countries are reluctant to reduce toxic emissions as the huge expense involved can affect the rate of economic growth.

carbon footprint

the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual or organization.

I have reduced my carbon footprint by cycling to work instead of driving.

global warming

a gradual increase in world temperatures caused by polluting gases, such as carbon dioxide, which are collecting in the air around the Earth and preventing heat from escaping into space.

It's not too late to reverse the effects of global warming but we must act right now.

to fight / to combat / to tackle global warming

take action to reverse the effects or promote the issue of global warming.

Young activists are taking actions to combat global warming through strikes that target big industries.

contribute to global warming

to add to the problem of global warming.

Carbon emisions contribute to global warming and the breakage of the ozone layer.

the effects of global warming

the environmental changes caused by global warming such as climate change.

Air intoxication is merely one of the effects of global warming.

disposable products

items that are intended to be thrown away after use, generally after just one or a few uses.

When I was young, things were made to last a long time and be used over and over again, but now we live in a world of disposable products and have a huge waste problem.

dumping ground

a place where things that are not wanted are left

If we continue treating our oceans as a dumping ground, it will eventually become too polluted to sustain life.

acid rain

rain rainfall made so acidic by atmospheric pollution caused by burning fossil fuels that it causes environmental harm, especially to forests and lakes.

In Poland, large areas of forest have been destroyed by acid rain.

to contaminate

to make something poisonous as a result of adding waste or chemicals

Pesticide and fertilisers used on the field can contaminate rivers and kill all the fish.

degradation

the process in which the quality of something is damaged or destroyed.

Soil degradation due to over-farming means that many farmers have had to move to the cities in search of work.

depletion

the reduction in the number or quality of something.

Over-fishing has led to the depletion of the ocean's fish stocks.

fumes

strong, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous gas or smoke.

Car exhaust fumes are a major contributor to air pollution.

smog

a mixture of smoke, gases, and chemicals, especially in cities, that makes the atmosphere difficult to breathe and harmful for health.

Some days the smog is so bad that people are forced to stay indoors

air quality

the extent to which the air is free of pollution.

When the company was forced to install filters in their factories chimneys, the air quality in the area improved considerably.

poisonous

having chemical properties that can cause harm or kill

Hundreds of people became seriously ill when poisonous chemicals from the nearby factory seeped into the water system.

toxic

poisonous.

The dumping of toxic waste in the ocean is totally unacceptable and must be stopped.

threat

something or someone that is a risk or a danger.

The greatest threat to the environment comes from the actions of human beings.

to endanger

to expose something to harm or destruction

Organised poaching is endangering the survival of the African rhino.

poaching

the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals

Elephant's valuable tusks make them a target for poaching.

drought

a long period when there is little or no rain.

The severe drought meant that the crops failed for the second year running and many people faced starvation.

flooding

when an area of land that is normally dry is covered with water.

We have been told to expect more violent storms and frequent flooding as a result of global warming

flash floods

a sudden, local flood caused by very heavy rainfall.

The flash flood washed a whole village from the hillside, killing dozens of people

to protect

keep safe from harm, injury or damage.

Many charities have been set up around the world for the purpose of protecting endangered species.

to preserve

to keep something as it is

If we don't take steps to preserve the environment, we will lose some important natural habitats in the very near future.

to recycle

to collect waste materials and process them to create new materials and products that can be used again

We can dramatically reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill sites by recycling our waste plastic.

biodegradable

able to decompose naturally without harming or polluting the environment.

I always try to buy products with biodegradable packaging

carbon-neutral

replacing the same amount of carbon dioxide as we produce through actions such as planting trees.

Becoming carbon-neutral is something for both individuals and industries to work towards.

sustainable

involving methods that do not use up or destroy natural resources.

With advances in technology, it is hoped that we will eventually be able to replace fossil fuels with sustainable energy sources.

sustainability

the idea that we should meet our own needs in ways that do not damage the environment and that do not use resources that cannot be replaced.

It is encouraging to see an increasing number of companies making a commitment to environmental sustainability.

renewable energy

energy from a source that is not depleted when used.

Where I live, both solar power and wind power are important sources of renewable energy.

solar power

power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun's rays.

Hussan fitted solar panels to his roof last year and is now able to produce all the energy he needs to run his home from solar power.

energy-sufficient

using only as much energy as is needed without any waste.

When I buy a new appliance, I look for one that is energy-sufficient as it will be cheaper to run and be more environmentally-friendly.

wind turbine

a tall structure with blades that are blown round by the wind and produce power to make electricity.

Many farmers in my area have installed wind turbines to provide the electricity they need.

wind farm

a group of wind turbines.

We were horrified when they got permission to build a wind farm in our beautiful countryside, but we're used to it now and understand how important it is to generate renewable energy

clean energy

energy produced from renewable energy resources and which doesn't produce emissions that contribute to global warming.

Scientists predict that clean energy could reliably and affordably provide up to 80 per cent of U.S. electricity by 2050.

organic farming

farming without the use of synthetic chemicals.

Concern for the environment is leading to changes in agricultural methods and especially to a greater interest in organic farming.

afforestation

the action of planting trees on an area of land in order to make a forest.

Afforestation is vital if we are to reduce the carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere

to go green

to choose an environmentally-friendly lifestyle.

In an attempt to go green, my family is recycling everything we can and we no longer buy bottled water.

on foot

to walk rather than use a form of transport.

When the weather is fine, I go to work on foot rather than catching the bus.

safeguard

take action to protect something from harm or damage.

It is the responsibility of all of us to safeguard the environment for future generations.

urban

relating to, or characteristic of a town or city

In the UK, foxes thrive in urban areas and can often be seen on the streets at night.

rural

in, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town.

I was born in a small village and still prefer to live in a rural area.