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[C1 Level] Nature & Environment – English vocabulary

80 words · English vocabulary · Created by Openquiz Team

80 English words with meanings: climate change, global warming, greenhouse effect, carbon footprint, deforestation… Study them with flashcards, quizzes and…

Part of the learning path: C1–C2 Everyday English

Word list

  1. climate change /'klaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/ (noun) — long-term weather changes
    Example: Climate change affects every part of our planet.
    Synonyms: global warming, climate crisis, environmental change
  2. global warming /'ɡloʊbəl 'wɔ:rmɪŋ/ (noun) — Earth getting hotter
    Example: Global warming leads to melting ice caps.
    Synonyms: temperature rise, climate heating, greenhouse effect
  3. greenhouse effect /'ɡri:nhaʊs ɪ'fekt/ (noun) — heat trapped by gases
    Example: The greenhouse effect traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
    Synonyms: warming effect, solar trapping, atmospheric heating
  4. carbon footprint /'kɑ:rbən 'fʊt,prɪnt/ (noun) — how much pollution you cause
    Example: Reducing your carbon footprint helps the environment.
    Synonyms: emission rate, carbon emissions, environmental impact
  5. deforestation /di:,fɔ:rɪ'steɪʃən/ (noun) — cutting down forests
    Example: Deforestation contributes to climate change.
    Synonyms: forest clearance, logging, tree removal
  6. biodiversity /,baɪoʊdaɪ'vɜ:rsɪti/ (noun) — variety of living things
    Example: High biodiversity makes ecosystems more resilient.
    Synonyms: ecological variety, species diversity, biological richness
  7. ecosystem /'i:koʊ,sɪstəm/ (noun) — plants, animals, and their environment
    Example: The forest ecosystem supports many kinds of animals.
    Synonyms: habitat, environment, biosystem
  8. renewable energy /rɪ'nju:əbl 'ɛnərdʒi/ (noun) — energy from sources that do not run out
    Example: Solar power is a source of renewable energy.
    Synonyms: green energy, clean energy, sustainable energy
  9. pollution /pə'lu:ʃən/ (noun) — dirtying the air, water, or land
    Example: Air pollution is a serious health issue in cities.
    Synonyms: contamination, dirtying, impurity
  10. contamination /kən,tæmɪ'neɪʃən/ (noun) — making something dirty or unsafe
    Example: Water contamination affects marine life.
    Synonyms: pollution, intoxication, tainting
  11. erosion /ɪ'roʊʒən/ (noun) — soil being worn away
    Example: Soil erosion reduces agricultural productivity.
    Synonyms: wearing away, degradation, weathering
  12. landfill /'lændfɪl/ (noun) — a place where trash is buried
    Example: Landfills release methane into the atmosphere.
    Synonyms: dump site, garbage pit, waste disposal area
  13. recycling /,ri:'saɪklɪŋ/ (noun) — use waste again
    Example: Recycling reduces the need for raw materials.
    Synonyms: reuse, reprocessing, repurposing
  14. sustainability /sə,steɪnə'bɪlɪti/ (noun) — using resources without running out
    Example: Sustainability is essential for our future economy.
    Synonyms: durability, responsibility, viability
  15. renewable resources /rɪ'nju:əbl rɪ'sɔ:rsɪz/ (noun) — resources that can be replaced naturally
    Example: Wind and water are renewable resources.
    Synonyms: green resources, sustainable sources, regenerable materials
  16. fossil fuels /'fɑ:səl fjʊəlz/ (noun) — coal, oil, and gas from the ground
    Example: Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases.
    Synonyms: coal, oil, natural gas
  17. carbon dioxide /'kɑ:rbən daɪ'ɑ:ksaɪd/ (noun) — a gas we breathe out that warms the Earth
    Example: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
    Synonyms: CO₂, carbon gas, greenhouse gas
  18. ozone layer /'oʊzoʊn 'leɪər/ (noun) — a gas layer that protects Earth from the sun
    Example: The ozone layer protects Earth from harmful UV rays.
    Synonyms: ozone shield, atmospheric layer, protective layer
  19. deficiency /dɪ'fɪʃənsi/ (noun) — not enough of something
    Example: A deficiency of clean water causes health issues.
    Synonyms: shortage, lack, insufficiency
  20. degradation /,deɡrə'deɪʃən/ (noun) — getting worse over time
    Example: Land degradation reduces the fertility of soil.
    Synonyms: decline, deterioration, erosion
  21. habitat /'hæbɪtæt/ (noun) — the natural home of a plant or animal
    Example: Forest destruction leads to loss of animal habitats.
    Synonyms: living environment, home, ecosystem
  22. endangered species /ɪn'deɪndʒərd 'spi:ʃiz/ (noun) — a plant or animal close to disappearing
    Example: The panda is an endangered species.
    Synonyms: rare species, threatened animals, at-risk creatures
  23. extinction /ɪk'stɪŋkʃən/ (noun) — when a species dies out
    Example: Many species are facing extinction due to habitat loss.
    Synonyms: annihilation, disappearance, termination
  24. conservation /,kɑ:nsər'veɪʃən/ (noun) — protecting nature
    Example: Conservation of forests helps maintain biodiversity.
    Synonyms: preservation, protection, maintenance
  25. renew /rɪ'nu:/ (verb) — make new again
    Example: We need to renew our efforts to protect nature.
    Synonyms: restore, revive, refresh
  26. preserve /prɪ'zɜ:rv/ (verb) — keep safe and unchanged
    Example: We should preserve natural resources for future generations.
    Synonyms: conserve, protect, maintain
  27. wildlife /'waɪldlaɪf/ (noun) — animals that live in the wild
    Example: National parks protect wildlife from hunting.
    Synonyms: wild animals, fauna, creatures
  28. ecological balance /,i:kə'lɑ:dʒɪkəl 'bæləns/ (noun) — the natural balance of nature
    Example: Pollution disturbs the ecological balance.
    Synonyms: environmental stability, natural equilibrium, eco stability
  29. natural disaster /'næʧrəl dɪ'zæstər/ (noun) — a natural event that causes great damage
    Example: The earthquake was a devastating natural disaster.
    Synonyms: catastrophe, calamity, tragedy
  30. hurricane /'hɜ:rɪ,keɪn/ (noun) — a strong storm with heavy wind and rain
    Example: The hurricane destroyed hundreds of homes.
    Synonyms: storm, cyclone, typhoon

…and 50 more words in this set.

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