Environment

to poach

To illegally hunt, capture, or take possession of wildlife or fish, typically for commercial purposes.

to hunt

To pursue and kill wild animals for food, sport, or other purposes.

whaling

The act of hunting and killing whales for their oil, meat, or other products.

fur

The soft, thick hair that covers the skin of animals, often used as a material for clothing or decoration.

skins

The outer covering or hide of an animal, often removed for various uses, such as leather production.

pelt

The skin and fur of an animal, usually removed by hunting or trapping.

ivory

The hard, white material derived from the tusks or teeth of certain animals, such as elephants or walruses, often used in the production of decorative items.

a threatened species

A species that is at risk of becoming endangered in the near future due to various factors, such as habitat loss, hunting, or pollution.

an endangered species

A species that is at significant risk of extinction throughout its natural range due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, or climate change.

to become extinct

The complete disappearance of a particular species from the Earth, with no surviving individuals.

to die out

When a species gradually decreases in numbers and eventually ceases to exist.

to wipe out

To completely eliminate or destroy something, often referring to the extinction or eradication of a species.

biodiversity

The variety and variability of living organisms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

rain forests

Dense forests characterized by high annual rainfall, typically found in tropical regions and home to a wide variety of plant and animal species.

to cut down trees

The act of felling or chopping down trees, often for timber or to clear land for other purposes.

deforestation

The widespread removal or destruction of forests or trees, primarily caused by human activities.

logging

The industry or practice of cutting down trees for timber or other wood products.

natural habitat

The environment or surroundings in which a particular species or organism naturally lives and thrives.

shrinking habitats

The process by which natural habitats are reduced in size or fragmented due to human activities, leading to a loss of suitable living space for various organisms.

ecosystem

A community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) in conjunction with the non-living components of their environment (such as air, water, and soil), interacting as a system.

a natural disaster

A sudden and severe event or phenomenon, such as an earthquake, hurricane, flood, or wildfire, that causes widespread damage or loss of life, typically resulting from natural forces.

to ban

To officially or legally prohibit or forbid something from being done, used, or implemented.

survival

The act or process of staying alive or existing, often in the face of challenging or adverse conditions.

to do research into

The act of conducting systematic investigation, study, or inquiry in order to acquire knowledge or understanding about a particular subject or topic.

wildlife reserves/zoos

Areas or institutions specifically designated for the protection, conservation, and display of various animal species, often with an emphasis on education and research.

pristine environments

Areas or ecosystems that remain in their original, undisturbed state, free from human intervention or pollution.

conservation

The protection, preservation, and responsible management of natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity for the benefit of present and future generations.

nature reserve

A protected area of land or water, managed for the conservation of its natural habitats, flora, and fauna.

national parks

Large designated areas of land, typically owned and managed by the government, preserved for their natural beauty, ecological significance, and recreational value.

landfill site/rubbish dump

A designated location where waste materials and garbage are deposited and buried in the ground, often managed and regulated to minimize environmental impacts.

source separation program

A waste management approach that involves separating different types of recyclable materials, such as paper, plastic, and glass, at the point of disposal to facilitate recycling.

co-mingled collection

A waste management system where different types of recyclable materials are collected together in a single bin or container, to be sorted and processed for recycling later.

recycling

The process of converting waste materials into reusable materials or products, typically to reduce resource consumption and minimize environmental impacts.

illegal dumping

The act of disposing of waste materials or garbage in an unauthorized or improper manner, such as dumping it in public spaces, water bodies, or areas not designated for waste disposal.

plastic pollution

The environmental impact caused by the accumulation and improper disposal of plastic materials, leading to pollution of land, waterways, and ecosystems.

nuclear waste

Radioactive materials generated as byproducts of nuclear power generation, nuclear weapons production, or other nuclear-related activities, requiring special handling and long-term storage to prevent harm to humans and the environment.

biodegradable

A substance or material capable of being decomposed by natural processes, such as the action of microorganisms, into simpler and non-harmful components, thereby minimizing environmental impact.

chemical fertilizers

Synthetic substances containing nutrients that are added to soil or plants to enhance their growth and increase agricultural productivity.

pesticides

Chemical substances used to kill or control pests, such as insects, weeds, or fungi, in order to protect crops, livestock, or human health.

herbicides

Pesticides specifically designed to control or eliminate unwanted plants or weeds.

global warming/climate change

The long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to changes in climate patterns and various environmental impacts.

greenhouse effect

The natural process by which certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat from the sun and contribute to the warming of the planet.

greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane)

Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and climate change when released into the atmosphere.

rise of Earth's average surface temperature

The increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface over time, often attributed to human activities and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

ozone layer depletion

The thinning or reduction of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere, which can lead to increased levels of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

rising sea levels

The gradual increase in the average height of the world's oceans and seas, primarily caused by global warming and the melting of ice caps and glaciers, leading to coastal erosion and the potential displacement of coastal communities.

expansion of desert

The process of arid or semi-arid regions expanding and encroaching on surrounding areas, often due to natural climate variations or human activities, such as deforestation or overgrazing.

retreat/melting of glaciers, permafrost, sea ice

The shrinking or melting of glaciers, permanently frozen ground (permafrost), and ice sheets in polar regions and high-altitude areas, often associated with global warming and climate change.

extreme weather

Severe and unusual weather events that deviate from typical or historical patterns, including intense storms, heatwaves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes.

drought

A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall or precipitation, resulting in a shortage of water and adverse impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and human populations.

crop failure

The significant decline or complete loss of agricultural crop yields due to various factors, such as adverse weather conditions, pests, diseases, or other environmental stresses.

famine

A widespread scarcity of food in a particular region or country, resulting in extreme hunger, malnutrition, and often leading to a high mortality rate.

air pollution

The presence of harmful substances or pollutants in the air, often resulting from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, or the burning of fossil fuels, which can have negative effects on human health and the environment.

carbon dioxide

A colorless, odorless greenhouse gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels and other human activities, contributing to global warming and climate change.

carbon monoxide

A poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, often emitted by vehicles and industrial processes, posing a health hazard and reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

sulphur oxides

Gaseous compounds, primarily sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphur trioxide (SO3), released from burning fossil fuels containing sulphur, contributing to air pollution, acid rain, and respiratory problems.

nitrogen oxides

Gaseous compounds, primarily nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO), released from burning fossil fuels and industrial processes, contributing to air pollution, smog formation, and respiratory issues.

methane

A potent greenhouse gas released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as from livestock and other agricultural practices, contributing to climate change.

particulates (fine particles)

Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, often released from combustion processes, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust, associated with respiratory and cardiovascular health problems.

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

Synthetic chemicals once used as coolants in refrigeration and aerosol propellants, responsible for ozone depletion in the stratosphere, contributing to increased ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

car exhaust

The emissions and pollutants released from the exhaust systems of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles, often contributing to air pollution and climate change.

acid rain

Rainfall that is unusually acidic due to the presence of pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, released into the atmosphere from human activities, resulting in detrimental effects on ecosystems, forests, and water bodies.

power plant

A facility or station that generates electricity by converting various sources of energy, such as fossil fuels, nuclear power, or renewable sources, into electrical power.

fossil fuels

Non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years, commonly used for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial processes.

alternative/renewable sources of energy

Energy sources that are not based on the combustion of fossil fuels and have a lower environmental impact, including solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass.

solar panels

Devices that convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells, typically composed of silicon, allowing for the generation of clean and renewable solar energy.

wind turbine

A device that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy through the rotation of large blades, commonly used in wind power generation.

wind farms

Large areas of land or offshore locations where multiple wind turbines are installed in a concentrated manner to generate electricity from wind energy on a larger scale.

sustainable development

Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, considering social, economic, and environmental factors for long-term well-being.

carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, released directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, etc., throughout its lifecycle, contributing to climate change.