More than 30 English words related to the environment

For some time, among the inhabitants of the most advanced nations, there has been an awareness of the environmental situation on our planet. This concern fundamentally affects education, in which for some time now the educational materials deal with this topic.

It is also reflected in language learning whose teaching materials show great sensitivity to this problem.

Environmental concerns

 Here is a list of vocabulary elements in English that are related to the environment:

Major environmental issues, natural environmental disasters, and another environmental vocabulary

1. Acid rain

It refers to the rain that carries harmful chemicals in quantities due to the combustion of substances such as coal and oil.

2. Biodegradable

That it has the ability to decompose naturally and harmlessly. So-called biodegradable packaging helps limit the number of harmful chemicals that are released into the atmosphere.

3. Biodiversity

The number and variety of plant and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area or in the world in general, or the problem of preserving and protecting it. A new National Biological Service to protect the habitat and biodiversity of species

4. Carbon monoxide

Poisonous gas is formed by burning carbon, especially in the form of automobile fuel.

5. Carbon dioxide

The gas that forms when coal is burned or when people or animals breathe out.

6. Climate

The general climatic conditions that are ordinarily found in a particular place. The Mediterranean climate is good for growing citrus and grapes.

7. Climate change

It means that there has been growing concern about climate change.

8. Deforestation

The felling of trees in a large area; destruction of forests by people. Deforestation is destroying large areas of rainforest.

9. Desertification

The process by which the land becomes desert.

10. Disposable products

Describes an item that is meant to be released.

11. Drought

A long period in which there is little or no rain. This year a severe drought has ruined the crops.

12. Earthquake

A sudden and violent movement of the Earth’s surface, sometimes causing great damage.

13. Endangered species

Endangered birds/plants/species, animals, or plants that may soon not exist because there are so few alive now.

14. Energy

The energy from something like electricity or oil, which can work, like providing light and heat. There are different types of energy: solar, nuclear, hydroelectric …

The energy generated by the windmill drives all the drainage pumps.

15. Energy conservation

The energy conservation process

16. Environment

The air, water, and land in which people, animals, and plants live. Certain chemicals have been banned due to their damaging effect on the environment.

17. Extinction

Many species of plants and animals are endangered/threatened with extinction (= being destroyed so that they no longer exist).

18. Flood

A large amount of water covers an area that is usually dry.

19. Smoking

Strong, unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous gas or smoke.

Gasoline fumes always make me feel bad.

20. Natural resources

Things like minerals, forests, coal, etc. that exist in a place and can be used by people. Some natural resources, such as natural gas and fossil fuels, cannot be replaced.

21. Global warming

A gradual rise in global temperature is caused by polluting gases like carbon dioxide that accumulates in the air around the Earth and prevent heat from escaping into space.

22. Greenhouse effect

An increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere is believed to be the cause of a gradual warming of the Earth’s surface.

23. Green peace

An organization that fights for the protection of the environment.

24. Renewable energy

It describes a form of energy that can be produced as quickly as it is used. Renewable energy sources such as wind and wave energy.

25. Oil slick

A layer of oil floats over a large area of ​​the sea surface, usually because an accident has caused it to escape from a ship or container.

26. Ozone layer

A layer of air high above the Earth, containing a large amount of ozone and preventing harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching Earth. Scientists believe that there is a hole in the ozone layer.

27. Pollution

Damage caused to water, air … by harmful substances or residues.

28. Recycle waste

Collect and treat garbage to produce useful materials that can be reused.

29. Sustainable development

A development that is causing little or no harm to the environment and can therefore continue for a long time. A large international meeting was held with the aim of promoting sustainable development in all countries.

30. Tsunami

An extremely large wave caused by the movement of the earth under the sea, often caused by an earthquake (= when the Earth shakes).

31. Unleaded petrol

Describes a type of gasoline or other substance that does not contain lead.

32. Use up natural resources

The degradation of natural resources is due to human pressure.

33. Volcano

A mountain with a large circular hole at the top through which lava (= hot liquid rock), gases, steam, and dust are or have been expelled. Erupting volcanoes discharge massive amounts of dust into the stratosphere.

34. Waste

Unwanted matter or material of any kind is often leftover after useful substances or parts have been removed.

Another related vocabulary: rubbish, garbage, trash

• Climate Change

Cambio climático.

•  The ozone layer depletion

El agotamiento de la capa de ozono.

• Pollution and its effect on the environment

Contaminación y su efecto sobre el medio ambiente.

• 7 ways to protect the environment

7 formas de proteger el medio ambiente.

• Sustainable development

Desarrollo sostenible.

• Rainforests

Selvas tropicales.