Environment Vocabulary

The introduction of harmful substances into the natural environment

“Air pollution in major cities has reached dangerous levels in recent years.”

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as wind or solar power

“Governments must invest heavily in renewable energy to combat climate change.”

The large-scale clearing of forests, typically for agriculture or urban development

“Deforestation in the Amazon threatens thousands of plant and animal species.”

The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels

“Reducing carbon emissions is central to every national climate strategy.”

The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole

“Urban expansion continues to erode biodiversity in coastal wetlands.”

The ability to maintain processes without depleting natural resources or harming the environment

“Corporations are under increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental sustainability.”

A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming

“Methane is a potent greenhouse gas released by livestock farming.”

A measure of the environmental impact of an individual or community based on resource consumption

“Adopting a plant-based diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce your ecological footprint.”

Action taken to reduce the severity or impact of a problem, especially climate change

“Climate mitigation strategies must be implemented alongside adaptation measures.”

The process by which a natural habitat is made unable to support the species that live there

“Habitat destruction remains the primary driver of species extinction worldwide.”

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by an individual, organisation, or activity

“Airlines are under pressure to offset their considerable carbon footprint.”

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in natural sinks such as forests or oceans

“Reforestation programmes support carbon sequestration on a significant scale.”

Originating in human activity, particularly with reference to environmental change

“The scientific consensus is that current global warming is primarily anthropogenic.”

The benefits that humans derive from functioning ecosystems, such as clean water, pollination, and climate regulation

“The economic value of ecosystem services provided by mangroves is often overlooked.”

The process of reducing the carbon dioxide output of a country, industry, or activity

“Rapid decarbonisation of the energy sector is essential to meeting net-zero targets.”