Humans and the Environment - Vocabulary (Unit 2)

A comprehensive list of English vocabulary terms, word types, and definitions based on Unit 2: Humans and the Environment.

youth union

A youth organization.

adoption

The act of adopting or approving something.

adopt

To take up, follow, or legally take someone else's child as one's own.

ceremony

A formal ritual or public ceremony.

carbon footprint

The amount of $CO_2$ released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities.

household appliance

A device designed to assist in domestic functions such as cooking or cleaning.

eco-friendly

Environmentally friendly; not harmful to the environment.

sustainability

The quality of being sustainable or the ability to be maintained over the long term.

sustain

To maintain, support, or prolong something.

sustainable

Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; lasting.

sustainably

In a way that can be maintained or continued over time.

energy bill

A statement of the amount of money owed for electricity usage.

explosion

A sudden, rapid increase or outburst.

organic

Relating to or derived from living matter; grown without artificial chemicals.

harmful

Causing or likely to cause damage or harm.

harmless

Not able or likely to cause any damage or harm.

unharmed

Safe and not damaged or injured.

harm

Physical injury or damage; to cause damage to someone or something.

chemical(s)

A substance or compound; relating to chemistry.

refill (n)

An act of filling a container again or the additional supply used to do so.

refill (v)

To fill a container again.

refillable

Capable of being filled again after use.

sort (n)

A category, class, or kind of thing.

sort (v)

To arrange or classify things systematically.

recycle

To convert waste materials into reusable objects.

natural resources

Materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain.

emission

The production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

emissions

Gases or other substances discharged into the air.

emit

To produce and discharge something, particularly gas.

calculate

To determine mathematically.

calculation

The process or result of determining something mathematically.

calculable

Able to be measured or estimated.

calculated

Done with prior planning or intention; deliberate.

estimate

To roughly calculate or judge a value; an approximate calculation.

estimation

The act of judging or forming an approximate calculation.

electric

Powered by or producing electricity.

electrical

Concerned with, operating by, or producing electricity.

electronic

Relating to devices with many small components that control electric currents.

electricity

A form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles.

average

A typical amount, rate, or level; a central value.

professor

A teacher of the highest rank in a university or college.

achievement

A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill.

achieve

To successfully reach or attain a goal through effort.

achievable

Capable of being brought about or reached successfully.

raise

To lift up or to increase the level or amount of something.

plot (n)

The main events of a story, a secret plan, or a small piece of land.

plot (v)

To secretly make a plan or to mark on a map.

driving machine

A machine designed for driving.

attraction

The action of evoking interest, or a place that people visit for interest.

attract

To cause to draw near or to evoke interest and attention.

attractive

Pleasing to look at or evoking interest; appealing.

attractively

In a manner that is pleasing or appealing.

prevention

The action of stopping something from happening or arising.