Environment protection (Unit 4)

Phrase

Example

A

acid rain

Acid rain is very harmful to the environment.

aerosol, spray

Aerosol sprays are the worst cause of pollution in the home.

to affect

This area was affected by the flood.

to ail

The huge trees had been ailing for years before they were cut down.

atmosphere

The Earth's atmosphere is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth.

to be aware

I think my neighbour isn't aware of polluting the environment.

B

balance

Nature's balance might be disturbed.

biosphere

The biosphere is the part of the earth's atmosphere and surface in which animals and plants can live.

C

carbon

Carbon is a chemical substance contained in all plants and animals.

catastrophe

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (FHCF) was created in November 1993.

to chop down

Poor people often chop down trees for firewood.

climate

The Mediterranean climate is good for growing citrus fruits.

to contaminate

The soil has been contaminated.

creature

Is there a sea creature or not?

D

death of the forests

The death of the forests is a big problem in Europe.

to destroy

The house was completely destroyed by fire.

destruction

The use of renewable sources could stop the destruction of the rainforests.

detergent

Try to use detergents that are perfume free.

to die out

Animals are dying out far more often than you might think.

to disappear

Many species disappeared in the last century.

disaster

The recent earthquake in India is a disaster.

to dry up, to parch

During the long time of drought many rivers have dried up/parched.

to dump

Old washing machines have been dumped near the beach.

dust

Do not inhale the dust, it's dangerous.

E

earthquake

On April 18, 1906, shortly after 5:00 am, a great earthquake struck San Francisco.

ecology

Oil pollution could damage the ecology of the costs.

ecosystem

Jordan appealed for assistance to
help save the ecosystem of the Dead Sea, whose water level is dropping.

emission

The organization calls for stricter controls on emissions.

to emit

Sulphur gases were emitted by the spewing volcano.

energy conservation

Energy conservation is a process of saving energy.

energy source

Space energy is one of the energy sources of the future.

environmentalist

Environmentalists are people who love the natural world.

erosion

Wind and water are the main agents of soil erosion.

evolution

The introduction of cloned plants will effect evolution.

to be exposed to

You risk skin cancer if you are often exposed to strong sunlight.

extinct

Hawaii is home to a great many extinct species.

F

factory farming

Is factory farming a way of animal abuse?

fume

Workers are exposed to fumes from asphalt.

fumes

The lava gives off clouds of toxic fumes as it flows into the Pacific Ocean.

G

geothermal

The first geothermal power station was built in Landrella, Italy.

global warming

They started a campaign to slow down the process of global warming.

greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature caused by gases in the atmosphere.

H

hardest hit

Our town was hardest hit by last year's earthquake.

to harm

Pollution can harm animals and the environment.

to be harmful

Air pollution is harmful to everyone.

heat wave

Slow down and avoid strenuous activity if a heat wave is happening.

heavy metal

Less heavy metal has been introduced by air into the Baltic Sea since the 1990s.

I

industrial waste

Industrial waste can contain small amounts of radioactive materials.

insulation

Often glass fibre is used as roof insulation.

L

to leak

Oil leaked out of the tank.

to load

The owners of the local factories are loaded with new environmental laws.

M

marine life

Around the islands marine life is seriously threatened by oil slick.

N

natural gas

61 percent of US households used natural gas for heating in 2002.

O

oil slick

Large oil slicks were found near the coast.

oxygen

The cells need oxygen to survive.

ozone layer

The ozone layer screens out the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

P

permission

Ask permission for the privilege to cross private land.

poison

The cat was killed by rat poison.

the polar ice caps

If the polar ice caps melt, the ocean levels rise.

to pollute

Please do not pollute the air.

pollution

Air pollution is a problem for all of us.

power station

Power stations are only about 40 per cent efficient.

to protect

Russia wants to protect the environment in the Baltic region.

to purify

You can purify water with two chemicals: chlorine bleach and iodine.

R

radiation

Radiation is used for medical reasons.

rainforest

Tropical rainforests are the Earth's oldest living ecosystems.

to recycle

This carton is made from recycled paper.

remedial action

The Great Lakes Remedial Action Plan Program was created in 1987.

reusable

There are two kinds of plastic bottles: reusable bottles and single-service bottles.

S

sewage plant

The city needs to have a sewage plant.

soil

Soil is the top layer of the earth in which trees, plant etc. grow.

solvent

Benzene and turpentine are solvents.

starvation

Starvation is the most severe form of malnutrition.

stratosphere

The ozone layer is within the stratosphere.

surface

About 70% of the Earth's surface is covered with water.

T

to threaten

Toxic chemical substances threaten sea turtles.

toxic waste

A ship with toxic waste sank.

toxic waste dump

The toxic waste dump was built.

trawler

Trawlers, are not permitted on the lake.

U

urbanization

The urabanization is a world-wide trend.

W

waste paper

Recycling waste paper is a favourable method.

waste separation

Do you know how to do waste separation?

wind energy

Wind energy is widely used in South Africa for water pumping.