Environment vocabulary

air quality: the cleanliness of the air we breathe

to become extinct: to no longer exist

to be under threat: to be in danger of becoming extinct

climate change: the change in worldwide weather patterns

endangered species: categories of animals or plants that are in danger of becoming extinct

energy conservation: the careful management of energy resources to ensure they last as long as possible

environmentally friendly: behaviour and products that do not harm the environment

exhaust fumes: the toxic gases given off by vehicles powered by petrol

flash floods: floods that happen quickly

fossil fuels: energy resources like gas and oil that are produced deep below the ground over millions of years

future generations: the people who live after us

to get back to nature: to live a life that is closer to nature

global warming: the increasing temperature of the world brought about by gases such as carbon dioxide

heavy industry: the manufacture of heavy articles and materials in large numbers

humanitarian aid: the act of showing support to people struggling to survive

impact on: the effect on

loss of habitat: the decline in areas of land where animals and plants would normally exist

man-made disaster: widespread damage or loss of life brought about by the action of humans

natural disaster: an event such as an earthquake,  flood or hurricane which causes widespread damage or loss of life

natural environment: the place where animals and plants would normally be found in nature

the natural world: the world of nature

oil spill: waste usually deposited in the seas and oceans after an accident at sea

poaching: to hunt and kill wild animals illegally

pollution levels: the amount of toxic waste

pressure group: a group of people who try to raise awareness of issues and try to affect the views and actions of people and organisations

toxic waste: poisonous, unwanted rubbish often produced by industrial processes

wildlife conservation: to protect animals and plants and their habitats