Environment Vocabulary
acid rain
When gases and pollutants are in the air and become rain, snow or sleet, this is acid rain.
air
A gas mixture that we breathe.
allotment
A small plot of land used to grow vegetables or flowers.
bottle bank
A place where glass bottles can be deposited.
carbon dioxide
A colourless and odourless gas that is absorbed by plants.
CFCs
Acronym for chlorofluorocarbon. Any compound of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine. These are harmful to the atmosphere.
chemical
A compound or substance.
consumption
The act of using a resource.
ecosystem
The biological community of humans, animals and plants.
to emit
To release.
extinction
A species of animals or plants no longer exists.
extreme weather
Weather that is not typical and can cause damage, such as floods or drought.
fumes
A gas that is dangerous to breathe in.
greenhouse effect
The process of trapping the sun’s heat in the Earth’s lower atmosphere.
greenhouse gas
Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect, including CFCs and carbon dioxide.
habitat
The natural home of an animal or plant.
hunting
The activity of chasing, finding and potentially killing animals as a game.
ice cap
A large sheet of ice.
industrial plant
A factory.
to litter
Waste products that you leave in nature.
local produce
Products that are made and sold in the same geographical region as you.
methane
A colourless, odourless gas made up of hydrocarbons.
natural resource
Products that are made and sold in the same geographical region as you.
Non-governmental organisation (NGO)
A small company that doesn’t make profit, instead donates money to those who need it.
nitrous oxide
A colourless gas that can be used as an anaesthetic.
organic
Produced without chemicals or pesticides.
ozone gas
A gas that is made up of oxygen and covers planet Earth.
packaging
Materials used that cover and protect products.
pesticide
A substance that destroys insects to prevent damage to the cultivation of animals and plants.
petrol
A fuel oil that is put into vehicles.
poaching
To illegally hunt and catch animals that are not on your land.
pollution
The process of dangerous gases being released into the air.
prohibited
Not allowed.
to recycle
To convert waste into something that can be used again.
renewable energy
Energy that doesn’t come from natural resources, therefore cannot be depleted, such as solar, wind etc.
rubbish
Waste.
single-use plastic (SUP)
Also called SUPs, plastic products that can only be used once and not recycled.
species
A type / a group / a kind.
spillage
Liquid that has flowed out of the area it should be.
UV radiation
Invisible energy rays that come from the sun.
volunteering
To do something for free.
wildlife
Wild animals that are in their natural habitat.