Environmental Vocabulary Lecture Notes

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability terms based on the provided lecture transcript.

To put somebody/something in great danger

To cause someone or something to be in a situation that is very risky or life-threatening.

The frequent occurrence of…

The state of something happening or appearing often.

Extreme weather events

Severe and unusual weather conditions such as prolonged droughts or severe heatwaves.

Prolonged droughts

Long periods of time with little or no rain that cause a shortage of water.

Severe heatwaves

Periods of abnormally and uncomfortably hot weather that are intense or serious.

To pose a serious threat to somebody/something

To represent or cause a major danger to someone or something.

Pressing environmental problem

An urgent issue related to the environment that requires immediate attention; also referred to as an urgent environmental issue.

To be on the verge of extinction

To be at a point where a species is very close to disappearing forever.

To be cut down

The act of felling trees, often on a large scale.

Annually

Occurring once every year.

Habitat loss

The process in which a natural habitat becomes unable to support the species present, often due to human activity.

Hazardous gas emissions

The release of dangerous or poisonous gases into the atmosphere.

To be released into the atmosphere

To be discharged or emitted into the air or environment.

Worsen something

To make a situation or condition more difficult, severe, or bad.

Climate change

Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, including effects like rising sea levels and intense heatwaves.

Natural resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.

Fossil fuels

Natural fuels such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Scarce

Insufficient for the demand; hard to find or available in very small quantities.

Unpredictable

Difficult to foretell or estimate; not able to be known or declared in advance.

Environmental degradation

The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil.

Put an end to something

To make something stop happening or to finish it completely.

Tackle something

To make determined efforts to deal with a problem or difficult situation; synonymous with 'solve something'.

Fossil fuel power plants

Industrial facilities that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas.

Contribute to something

To be one of the causes of an event or situation.

Proper waste disposal systems

Effective and appropriate methods or infrastructure for getting rid of waste products safely.

Impose stricter punishments on…

To officially demand more severe penalties or consequences for those who break rules or laws.

Fail to do something

To be unsuccessful in an effort or to neglect to perform a required action.

Illegal logging and forest clearance

The unlawful harvesting of timber and the removal of forests for other uses.

Have a destructive impact on…

To have a very damaging or devastating effect on a system, such as an ecosystem or economy.

The combustion of fossil fuels

The chemical process of burning fuels like coal or gas, which releases energy and emissions.

Deforestation

The action of clearing a wide area of trees.

Intensive farming

A type of agriculture that uses large amounts of labor and capital relative to the land area to increase yields.

Improper waste management

The incorrect handling, treatment, or disposal of waste materials.

Rapid changes in weather patterns

Fast and significant shifts in the typical climate conditions of a region.

Environmental protection programmes

Organized initiatives or plans designed to safeguard the natural environment, such as energy conservation.

Engage in something

To participate in or take part in an activity.

Community planting

The act of planting trees or vegetation within a local neighborhood or community area.

Energy conservation

The practice of using less energy in order to save money and reduce environmental impact.

Environmentally friendly energy sources

Energy sources that have minimal impact on the environment, such as nuclear or renewable power.

Reduce our reliance on something

To decrease the state of depending on or needing a specific resource.

To wipe out life on Earth

To completely destroy or eliminate all living organisms on the planet.

To raise public awareness of…

To increase the level of understanding and knowledge among the general population about a specific issue.

Put heavy pressure on

To place a dangerous or extreme level of stress or demand on a system or resource.

Overfishing

The act of catching too many fish from the sea, leading to a depletion of the fish population.

The marine ecosystem

The complex community of organisms and their physical environment in the ocean.

In the war against…

Participating in a major struggle or organized effort to defeat a problem like climate change.

Make every possible effort to do something

To try as hard as possible and use every available means to achieve a specific goal.