Environment and Sustainability Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms related to environmental issues, actions, and sustainability concepts in French with English definitions.

Les déchets

Refers to waste, garbage, or rubbish produced by households or industry.

Frais / fraiche

An adjective meaning fresh or cool.

Les lois

The laws or regulations established by a governing authority.

Le chauffage climatique

Climate heating or global warming.

La surconsommation

The action of consuming excessively beyond what is necessary.

Le trou dans la couche d’ozone

The hole in the ozone layer caused by atmospheric pollutants.

Le déboisement

Deforestation; the clearing or removal of a forest or stand of trees.

La pollution sonore

Noise pollution; harmful or annoying levels of noise in the environment.

éteindre

A verb meaning to turn off (such as a light) or to extinguish.

Le braconnage

Poaching; the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals.

L’essence

Gasoline or petrol used as fuel for internal combustion engines.

ameliorer

A verb meaning to improve or make better.

La sécheresse

Drought; a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall leading to a shortage of water.

L’énergie renouvelable

Renewable energy; energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.

économiser

A verb meaning to save, economize, or reduce the use of resources.

Le covoiturage

Carpooling; the practice of sharing car journeys to reduce costs and emissions.

Le gaspillage

Waste or squandering; the act of using resources carelessly or extravagantly.

Les transports en commun

Public transportation; shared passenger transport services which are available for use by the general public.

Les zones piétonnes

Pedestrian zones; areas of a city or town reserved for pedestrian-only use.

réduire

A verb meaning to reduce or make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

Jetter (jeter)

A verb meaning to throw away or discard.

propre

An adjective meaning clean or tidy.

prévenir

A verb meaning to prevent or to warn.

Les espèces menacées

Endangered species; species at risk of extinction.