Vocabulary Flashcards
acid rain
rain which contains large amounts of harmful chemicals
biodegradable
able to decay naturally and harmlessly
biodiversity
the number and variety of plant and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area
carbon monoxide
the poisonous gas formed by the burning of carbon, especially in the form of car fuel
deforestation
the cutting down of trees in a large area: the destruction of forests by people
desertification
the process by which land changes into desert
disposable products
items intended to be thrown away after use
drought
a long period when there is little or no rain
earthquake
a sudden violent movement of the Earth’s surface, sometimes causing great damage
endangered species
animals or plants which may soon not exist because there are very few now alive
energy conservation
the process of conserving energy
extinction
being destroyed so that they no longer exist
flood
a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry
fumes
strong, unpleasant and, dangerous gas or smoke
natural resources
things such as minerals, forests, coal, etc. which exist in a place and can be used by people
greenhouse effect
increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere which is believed to cause a gradual warming on the surface of the Earth
renewable energy
a form of energy that can be produced as quickly as it is used
oli slick
a layer of oil that is floating over a large area of the surface of the sea, usually because an accident has caused it to escape from a ship or container
recycle waste
to collect and treat rubbish to produce useful materials which can be used again
sustainable development
a development that is causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time
mass produce
manufacture goods in large quantities
waste systems
different ways of disposing of waste
plastic pollution
pollution caused by plastic waste
recycling strategies
plans or methods to do with recyclings
