The Environment and Energy: English Vocabulary List

a huge round object that moves in an orbit, around the sun, or any other star

"Jupiter is the largest planet in our system."

"The search for a habitable exoplanet is a primary goal of modern astronomy."

the place or area in which certain animals, birds, or plants naturally exist, lives, and grows

"The forest is their habitat."

"The rainforest provides a natural habitat for thousands of unique species that cannot survive anywhere else."

any substance that can produce energy or heat when burned

"The plane was already low on fuel."

"The car needs more fuel to complete the long journey across the country."

a fuel that is found in nature and obtained from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago, such as coal and gas

"Coal is fossil fuel."

"Burning fossil fuel releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes significantly to global warming."

a type of fossil fuel, which is black and found in the ground, typically used as a source of energy

"Coal is used to make energy."

"Many power stations still burn coal to generate electricity for millions of homes."

a clean and powerful energy that is obtained by splitting atoms, which then can be used to produce heat, electricity, etc.

"Atomic energy is very powerful."

"The International Atomic Energy Agency works to promote the safe"

the amount of carbon dioxide that an organization or person releases into the atmosphere

"Driving less reduces your carbon footprint."

"Driving a gas powered car every day can significantly increase your personal carbon footprint over time."

a type of gas with no color and smell that is produced by burning carbon or during breathing out

"Carbon dioxide is a gas."

"Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat causing global temperatures to rise and contributing to climate change and extreme weather events."

the act of removing harmful or dirty substances from somewhere

"The beach cleanup removed hundreds of plastic bottles."

"The beach cleanup volunteers collected over five hundred kilograms of plastic waste in a single morning showing how polluted the coastline had become."

referring to products, actions, or practices that are designed to cause minimal harm to the environment

"This bag is eco-friendly."

"The eco friendly bag is made from recycled materials and can be used many times."

to damage the environment by releasing harmful chemicals or substances to the air, water, or land

"Factories pollute the air and water."

"The factory continues to pollute the river with toxic chemicals despite repeated warnings from the government."

an urgent situation in which proper action must be taken to remove the threats done to the environment

"The climate crisis is urgent."

"The climate crisis requires immediate action because delaying emission reductions will make the consequences more severe and difficult to reverse."

any destruction caused by the nature that results in a great amount of damage or the death of many, such as an earthquake, flood, etc.

"The natural disaster was severe."

"The natural disaster left many people homeless and in need of help."

the sudden release of lava, gases, and ash from a volcano

"The volcanic eruption was dangerous."

"The volcanic eruption sent ash into the sky and forced people to leave the area."

things such as household materials that have no use anymore

"Take out the garbage now."

"Please take the garbage out before it starts to smell in the kitchen."

any type of gas, particularly carbon dioxide, that contributes to global warming by trapping heat

"Methane is a strong greenhouse gas."

"A greenhouse gas traps heat in the atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation"

a global problem that is caused by the increase of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide which results in gradual warming of the earth

"The greenhouse effect traps heat."

"The greenhouse effect is a natural process that can be intensified by human activities releasing gases."

toxic and harmful substances in the air that can cause illnesses

"Air pollution causes breathing problems."

"Air pollution in major cities can cause serious health problems like asthma and lung disease."

a cloud of chemicals produced by burning something

"Smoke filled the room."

"We saw smoke rising from the chimney in the distance."

a large building in which electricity is made

"The power plant closed down."

"A power plant is an industrial facility for the generation of electric power on a large"

to make a waste product usable again

"People recycle plastic bottles and paper."

"It is important to recycle plastic bottles and paper to help protect the environment for future generations."

the process of making waste products usable again

"Recycling reduces waste."

"Chemical recycling offers a method of breaking plastics down to their molecular components"

(of a resource, energy, etc.) naturally restored as fast as or faster than they are used up

"Solar energy is renewable."

"Solar energy is renewable because the sun will keep shining for billions of more years."

an unexpected and usually dangerous situation needing immediate attention or action

"Call 911 in an emergency."

"In case of an emergency please call the ambulance immediately and stay calm while waiting for help."

any substance that is dirty, disgusting, or unpleasant

"The river was full of filth."

"The house was filled with filth and garbage because the owner had neglected it for years."

the layer of gases surrounding a planet, held in place by gravity

"Earth has a thick atmosphere."

"The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful radiation from the sun and keeping the planet warm."

(usually plural) a country's gas, oil, trees, etc. that are considered valuable and therefore can be sold to gain wealth

"Oil is valuable resource."

"Many countries depend heavily on their natural resource exports to build wealth and support their economies."

the energy that is obtained through different means, such as electrical or solar, to operate different equipment or machines

"We need more power."

"The city's continued growth depends on its access to reliable and affordable power."

a liquid found deep under the ground that is used as a fuel

"We need oil."

"The country's economy heavily relies on the export of crude oil to fund its development projects."

a source of power that can be used to produce heat, light, or to operate different machines

"This machine needs energy."

"Renewable energy sources are crucial for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels."

not causing or spreading pollution or contamination, especially radioactive contamination

"The water is clean."

"Strict regulations ensure that the drinking water supply remains clean and safe for consumption."

(of a substance or product) causing no harm to the environment

"The product is green."

"Many companies are now focusing on developing green technologies to minimize their environmental impact."

to use a supply of energy, fuel, etc.

"Cars consume fuel."

"Electric vehicles are designed to consume significantly less energy than traditional gasoline cars."

materials that have no use and are unwanted

"We must reduce waste daily."

"It is important to separate your waste into recyclables and non-recyclables to help protect the environment and reduce pollution."

consisting of poisonous substances

"The smoke is toxic."

"The toxic fumes from the factory made the workers wear masks to protect their lungs."

consisting of toxic substances that can cause harm or death

"The snake is poisonous."

"The poisonous snake bit the hiker and he had to be rushed to the hospital immediately."

to become destroyed, often due to the action of bacteria or fungi over time

"Fruit rots quickly in hot weather."

"The fallen apples began to rot on the ground because nobody picked them up in time."

to cause a particular thing to decay or decompose

"Food will rot if left out."

"Leaving the organic waste uncovered will cause it to rot and attract pests."