Environmental Problems and Vocabulary

Traditional vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, definitions, and environmental concepts from the lecture notes.

Globalisation

The increasing business, cultural, and other contacts between countries.

Acid rain

Rain which contains harmful chemicals as a result of burning substances such as oil and coal.

Air pollution

Damage caused to the air by harmful substances or waste.

Global warming

A rise in the world's temperature.

Hazardous

Dangerous.

Ozone depletion

Reduction in the ozone layer.

Ozone layer

A layer of air above the Earth containing ozone which prevents harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching Earth.

Smog

Air pollution found in cities caused by a mixture of smoke, gases and chemicals (formed from smoke + fog).

Rainforest destruction

Destroying (cutting down) forest in a tropical area which receives a lot of rain.

Greenhouse effect

An increase in the amount of $CO_2$ and other gases in the Earth's atmosphere that causes a gradual warming of the surface of the Earth.

Carbon dioxide

A gas represented by the chemical symbol $CO_2$, which contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Atmosphere

The mixture of gases around the Earth.

Polar ice caps

The ice covering the areas at the North and South Poles.

Endangered

Very few in number, at risk of becoming extinct.

Extinct

Not existing any longer, such as what happened to dinosaurs about $65$ million years ago.

over-

A prefix meaning too much.

Overfishing

Fishing so much that it is having a serious effect on fish populations.

Overpopulated

Having so many people living in an area that life is difficult there.

Nature reserves

Developed areas where plants and animals are protected.

Organic food

Food produced while avoiding the use of harmful chemicals.

Environmentally friendly

Behaving in a way that is ecologically sound or concerned with protecting the environment.

Carbon footprint

A measure of environmental impact, often reduced by using cars less or cutting down on the use of fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels

Substances such as oil and coal used for energy.

Environmentalist

A person who does what they can to help protect the environment.

Pollutant

A substance that pollutes, such as carbon monoxide ($CO$).

Disposable

Items like plastic cups and paper plates that are intended to be thrown away after use.

Water pollution

Harmful substances in water that can cause plant and animal life in rivers to die out.