IELTS2B consumerism

unprecedented (adj) /ˌʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/

never having happened or existed before.

surge (n) /sɜːdʒ/

a sudden and significant increase.

consumerism (n) /kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/

the belief that buying goods and services is very important for a society.

acquisition (n) /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/

the act of gaining or obtaining something, especially knowledge, skills, or assets.

exact a toll on (phrase) /ɪɡˈzækt ə təʊl ɒn/

to cause harm, damage, or suffering to someone or something.

ecosystem (n) /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/

a community of living organisms and the environment they interact with.

repercussion (n) /ˌriːpəˈkʌʃən/

an indirect or unexpected negative consequence of an action.

resource depletion (n) /rɪˈzɔːs dɪˈpliːʃən/

the reduction or exhaustion of natural resources.

extraction (n) /ɪkˈstrækʃən/

the process of removing or obtaining something from the environment, especially minerals or fossil fuels.

intensify (v) /ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/

to increase in strength, degree, or seriousness.

habitat destruction (n) /ˈhæbɪtæt dɪˈstrʌkʃən/

the process of damaging or eliminating the natural home of plants or animals.

insatiable appetite (phrase) /ɪnˈseɪʃəbl ˈæpətaɪt/

a desire that cannot be satisfied, no matter how much is consumed.

throwaway culture (n) /ˈθrəʊəweɪ ˌkʌltʃə/

a society where people frequently discard items rather than reuse or repair them.

discarded (adj) /dɪˈskɑːdɪd/

thrown away because it is no longer wanted or needed.

microplastics (n) /ˌmaɪkrəʊˈplæstɪks/

extremely small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment.

e-waste (n) /ˈiː ˌweɪst/

electronic waste, such as old phones, computers, and appliances.

toxic (adj) /ˈtɒksɪk/

poisonous or harmful to living organisms or the environment.

leach into (phr v) /liːtʃ ˈɪntuː/

to gradually pass into soil or water, usually causing contamination.

carbon footprint (n) /ˌkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/

the total amount of carbon dioxide produced by a person, activity, or product.

greenhouse gas emissions (n) /ˈɡriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/

gases released into the atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to global warming.

fast fashion (n) /fɑːst ˈfæʃən/

inexpensive clothing produced rapidly to reflect current trends, often causing environmental harm.

supply chain (n) /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/

the system involved in producing and delivering a product to consumers.

water scarcity (n) /ˈwɔːtə ˈskɑːsɪti/

a situation where there is not enough clean water for people or ecosystems.

dead zones (n) /ˈded zəʊnz/

areas in oceans or lakes where oxygen levels are too low for marine life to survive.

ethical consumerism (n) /ˈeθɪkəl kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/

buying products that are produced in ways that minimise harm to people, animals, and the environment.

sustainable practices (n) /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈpræktɪsɪz/

actions that protect the environment and ensure long-term resource availability.

circular economy (n) /ˈsɜːkjʊlə ɪˈkɒnəmi/

an economic system focused on reusing, repairing, and recycling materials to reduce waste.

curb (v) /kɜːb/

to control or limit something harmful.

carbon pricing (n) /ˈkɑːbən ˌpraɪsɪŋ/

a policy that sets a cost on carbon emissions to encourage reduction.

renewable energy (n) /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/

energy from sources that naturally replenish, such as wind, solar, and hydro.

durability (n) /ˌdjʊərəˈbɪləti/

the ability of a product to last a long time without damage.

disposability (n) /dɪˌspəʊzəˈbɪləti/

the degree to which an item is designed to be used once and thrown away.