Environment Vocabulary: Climate, Pollution and Nature

Climate and weather vocabulary

Climate and weather are closely related, but they are not the same.

Weather describes atmospheric conditions over a short period:

It’s raining today.

Climate describes the usual weather conditions of a place over a much longer period:

Taiwan has a warm, humid climate.

Examples:

Scientists have warned about the effects of climate change.

The country experienced a severe drought last year.

Transport is a major source of carbon emissions.

Coastal areas may be affected by rising sea levels.

If you want to practise discussing weather more personally, try our IELTS Speaking Part 1 weather questions and answers.

Pollution and waste

Pollution happens when harmful substances enter the environment.

Common types include:

air pollution

water pollution

noise pollution

soil pollution

plastic pollution

Useful vocabulary includes:

Examples:

Traffic is a major cause of air pollution.

Plastic waste often ends up in the ocean.

More household waste should be recycled.

Many cities are trying to reduce single-use plastic.

In British English, rubbish is common. American English often uses trash or garbage. Environmental problems can also affect human health, so you may find our Health Vocabulary useful for discussing symptoms, illness and wellbeing.

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Energy and natural resources

Energy is one of the most important environmental topics.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that can naturally be replaced.

Examples include:

solar power

wind power

hydroelectric power

geothermal energy

Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels include:

coal

oil

natural gas

They are widely used for energy but release greenhouse gases when burned.

Useful terms include:

energy consumption

energy efficiency

electricity generation

clean energy

renewable resources

non-renewable resources

natural resources

fossil fuels

carbon footprint

Examples:

The government wants to increase the use of renewable energy.

Improving energy efficiency can reduce electricity use.

Coal and oil are non-renewable resources.

Flying frequently can increase your carbon footprint.

A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a person, activity, product or organisation.

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Wildlife and ecosystems

The natural environment contains many interconnected plants, animals and habitats.

Useful vocabulary includes:

wildlife

habitat

ecosystem

biodiversity

species

endangered species

extinction

deforestation

conservation

nature reserve

rainforest

marine life

Habitat

A habitat is the natural place where an animal or plant lives.

Forests provide habitats for thousands of species.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living things in an area.

Protecting biodiversity is important for healthy ecosystems.

Endangered species

An endangered species is at serious risk of becoming extinct.

Tigers are endangered in several parts of the world.

Conservation

Conservation means protecting nature, wildlife and natural resources.

Conservation projects can help protect threatened habitats.

Environmental problems

Many environmental problems are connected.

Common examples include:

climate change

air pollution

water pollution

deforestation

habitat loss

species extinction

overfishing

desertification

waste disposal

water shortages

soil erosion

ocean pollution

Examples:

Deforestation can lead to habitat loss and lower biodiversity.

Overfishing threatens marine ecosystems.

Some countries face serious water shortages.

Poor waste management can contribute to ocean pollution.

Useful verbs include:

damage the environment

destroy habitats

pollute rivers

waste resources

increase emissions

threaten wildlife

contribute to climate change

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Solutions and sustainability

Sustainability means meeting current needs without damaging the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Common vocabulary includes:

sustainable

environmentally friendly

eco-friendly

renewable

recyclable

reusable

biodegradable

conservation

public transport

energy-efficient

green technology

sustainable development

Useful solutions include:

reduce waste

reuse products

recycle materials

use renewable energy

protect natural habitats

reduce carbon emissions

improve public transport

conserve water

plant trees

use less plastic

Examples:

Governments can reduce emissions by investing in public transport.

Businesses are developing more sustainable packaging.

Reusable products can help reduce plastic waste.

Energy-efficient buildings use less electricity.

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Useful collocations

Natural English depends heavily on common word combinations.

Reduce

reduce emissions

reduce waste

reduce pollution

reduce energy consumption

Protect

protect the environment

protect wildlife

protect natural habitats

protect endangered species

Cause

cause pollution

cause environmental damage

cause habitat loss

cause climate change

Renewable

renewable energy

renewable resources

renewable power

Environmental

environmental problem

environmental impact

environmental damage

environmental protection

Other useful combinations

tackle climate change

combat pollution

conserve natural resources

cut carbon emissions

recycle household waste

preserve biodiversity

become extinct

suffer from drought

invest in clean energy

raise environmental awareness

Examples:

Countries need to cut carbon emissions.

Education can help raise environmental awareness.

New laws may help protect endangered species.

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Exercises and answers

Exercise 1: Choose the correct word

1. A long period with very little rain is a __________.
   • drought
   • flood
   • habitat
2. Energy from sunlight is called __________.
   • solar power
   • fossil fuel
   • sewage
3. A natural place where an animal lives is its __________.
   • habitat
   • emission
   • landfill
4. A species at risk of disappearing is __________.
   • renewable
   • endangered
   • recyclable
5. A place where waste is buried is a __________.
   • landfill
   • ecosystem
   • nature reserve
6. The variety of living organisms in an area is __________.
   • biodiversity
   • pollution
   • consumption

Exercise 2: Complete the collocations

Use: reduce, protect, renewable, raise, cut, recycle

1. __________ emissions
2. __________ energy
3. __________ wildlife
4. __________ environmental awareness
5. __________ carbon emissions
6. __________ household waste

Exercise 3: Choose the best word

1. Wind and solar power are renewable / toxic energy sources.
2. Plastic left in public places is litter / climate.
3. Coal is a renewable / non-renewable resource.
4. Cutting down large areas of forest is called deforestation / conservation.
5. A product designed to break down naturally may be described as biodegradable / endangered.
6. Using less electricity can reduce your carbon footprint / biodiversity.

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Answers

Exercise 1

1. drought
2. solar power
3. habitat
4. endangered
5. landfill
6. biodiversity

Exercise 2

1. reduce emissions
2. renewable energy
3. protect wildlife
4. raise environmental awareness
5. cut carbon emissions
6. recycle household waste

Exercise 3

1. renewable
2. litter
3. non-renewable
4. deforestation
5. biodegradable
6. carbon footprint

When learning environment vocabulary, focus on complete phrases such as reduce emissions, renewable energy, protect wildlife, plastic waste, natural resources and tackle climate change. These combinations will help you discuss environmental problems and solutions much more naturally in speaking and writing.

Related Vocabulary lessons

• IELTS Speaking Part 1: Weather Questions and Answers
• Health Vocabulary: Illnesses, Symptoms and Treatment
• Travel Vocabulary: Essential English Words and Phrases

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