VOCAB ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION/CLIMATE CHANGE/ GLOBAL WARMING
– environmental degradation
– harmful pollutants
– exacerbate/mitigate climate change
– extreme weather events/ climate-related natural disasters
– melting glaciers/polar ice caps
– release excessive amount of carbon emissions
– pose serious health risks
– suffer from respiratory disease
– fossil fuel emissions
– confront the escalating/ urgent climate crisis
– switch over to/ transition to renewable energy
– reduce our carbon footprint
1. Air pollution from vehicle emissions and industrial activity can cause people
to _____________ like asthma.
2. Widespread deforestation has led to severe _____________, disrupting local
ecosystems.
3. Flooding, storms and other _____________ driven by global warming pose
a significant threat to vulnerable communities worldwide.
4. Factories release _____________ into the air and water, posing
_____________ to nearby communities.
5. Deforestation and industrialization _____________climate change by
increasing _____________ emissions.
6. Curbing _____________ should be a top priority for policymakers
concerned about sustainability.
7. Switching to renewable energy sources for our homes and businesses can
significantly _____________ and reliance on fossil fuels.
8. _____________ sources and reforestation efforts can help _____________
the effects of climate change.
9. World leaders must _____________ with concrete and immediate action to
avoid catastrophic consequences.
DEFORESTATION
- deforestation = widespread clearing of tropical forests
- Loss/destruction of wildlife natural habitat
- illegal logging
- agricultural expansion
- reforestation and afforestation
- cut down trees to give way to
- demand for timber and wood products
- soil erosion and land degradation
1. Millions of acres of tropical forests have been _____________ agricultural
expansion and urban development projects.
2. Deforestation has led to the devastating _____________ for countless
species of wildlife.
3. The loss of tree cover through deforestation leads to increased
_____________ and the _____________ of once-fertile agricultural lands.
4. Rampant _____________ in the Amazon rainforest is rapidly depleting this
critical carbon sink and biodiversity hotspot.
5. The insatiable global _____________ is fueling illegal logging practices
that devastate forest ecosystems.
6. As the global demand for food and livestock production increases,
_____________ is leading to _____________ tropical forests.
7. Large-scale _____________ efforts can help mitigate the environmental
damage caused by past deforestation.
ILLEGAL HUNTING/ ANIMAL EXTINCTION
- poaching and wildlife trafficking
- be pushed to the brink of extinction
- An imbalance in the ecosystem
- flora and fauna
- loss of biodiversity
- disruption of food webs
- trigger a chain reaction
- be captured from their native habitats
- plunder (v,n)
- unregulated (adj)
- Corruption, toothless laws, weak judicial systems and light sentences
1. _____________ allow criminal networks to keep _____________ wildlife with
little regard to consequences.
2. The _____________ fishing practices in the region have led to the
_____________ of marine resources, causing irreversible damage to the ocean
ecosystem.
3. _____________ pose a significant threat to endangered species and conservation
efforts worldwide.
4. The _____________ caused by overfishing can have cascading effects on marine
ecosystems.
5. Due to relentless hunting and habitat destruction, the African elephant population
has been _____________.
6. Many exotic animals, such as parrots and reptiles, are _____________ and sold in
the illegal pet trade.
7. The introduction of an invasive species can cause _____________, leading to
detrimental effects on native _____________.
8. The decline of pollinators like bees can _____________, impacting the other
wildlife that rely on the plants for food and habitat.
9. Deforestation and habitat destruction have resulted in the _____________ in the
Amazon rainforest, causing a decline in species richness and abundance.
LITTERING/ PLASTIC POLLUTION
- single-use/ disposable plastic containers
- Dispose of/ dump/discard
- an eyesore for visitors
- the breeding ground for bacteria
- non-biodegradable
- accummulate in landfills
- Decompose – break down – decay
- recyclable and reusable alternatives
- waste management system
1. Single-use plastics that are not properly recycled or disposed of _____________,
occupying valuable space and exacerbating waste management challenges.
2. _____________ contribute to the growing plastic waste problem as they are
designed for a one-time use and are often not recycled.
3. _____________ plastics, such as those used in packaging and bottles, take
hundreds of years to _____________ naturally, contributing to long-term
environmental pollution.
4. Improperly _____________ plastic waste by _____________or _____________ it
in the environment poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.
5. Implementing an effective _____________ is crucial for responsibly handling and
reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
6. Plastic materials do not easily _____________, leading to their persistence in the
environment for extended periods.
7. The sight of littered plastic bottles and bags can be _____________, diminishing
the natural beauty of the area.
8. To mitigate the plastic waste problem, it is essential to promote the use of
_____________ to single-use plastics.
9. Abandoned plastic items can become _____________, spreading diseases and
posing potential health risks to both humans and wildlife.
