[VOCAB BANK] Environment, Climate, Sustainability, and Public Issues

Quick upgrade ladders across common IELTS themes

climate change
Climate change is already affecting weather patterns

long-term global environmental change

air pollution

Air pollution is a serious problem in many cities

harmful pollution in the air

renewable energy

Renewable energy is becoming more affordable

energy from sources that naturally continue

waste management

Waste management needs better planning

handling rubbish and recycling

public awareness

Campaigns can raise public awareness

what the public knows about an issue

household income

Higher transport costs affect low-income households most

money earned by a family

social inequality

Education can reduce social inequality over time

unfair differences in wealth or opportunity

access to healthcare

Rural areas often have weaker access to healthcare

ability to receive medical services

affordable housing

Affordable housing is a major urban issue

housing that people can reasonably pay for

community support

Strong community support can improve resilience

help from local people or organisations

public policy

Public policy should be based on evidence

government plan or rule

long-term impact

We need to consider the long-term impact of this decision

effect over time

sustainable development

Cities need more sustainable development strategies

growth that protects future needs

social pressure

Young people often face social pressure online

pressure from other people or society

quality of life

Green spaces can improve quality of life

overall comfort and well-being in life

carbon emissions

Stricter factory limits are needed to reduce global carbon emissions

greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere

renewable energy

Investing in renewable energy helps reduce our reliance on oil

power generated from natural, replenishing resources

fossil fuels

The burning of fossil fuels is the primary driver of global warming

non-renewable energy sources like coal and oil

biodiversity

Deforestation poses a direct threat to forest biodiversity

the variety of plant and animal life in a habitat

air pollution

Heavy industrial manufacturing significantly worsens urban air pollution

toxic substances contaminating the atmosphere

waste management

The city introduced new sorting bins to improve domestic waste management

the collection, processing, and recycling of rubbish

environmental damage

Oil spills cause severe and long-lasting environmental damage to marine life

destruction caused to natural ecosystems

resource depletion

Overfishing in international waters is leading to rapid resource depletion

the exhaustion of raw natural materials

public awareness

The documentary was produced to raise public awareness about plastic waste

community knowledge and understanding of an issue

sustainable development

Urban planning must focus on sustainable development to protect natural habitats

economic growth that preserves the environment for future generations

cut emissions

Car manufacturers are designing electric vehicles to help cut emissions

reduce the release of greenhouse gases

switch to

Many homeowners choose to switch to solar power to lower electricity bills

change from one source or method to another

phase out

The government plans to phase out single-use plastics over the next three years

gradually stop using or producing something

recycle

The local community center encourages residents to recycle glass and paper

process used materials into new products

dispose of

Factories must safely dispose of chemical waste according to local laws

throw away or get rid of unwanted material

conserve

Turning off the tap while brushing teeth helps to conserve fresh water

protect and preserve natural resources

offset

Travelers can pay a small fee to offset the carbon footprint of their flight

balance a negative environmental impact with a positive action

contaminate

Industrial runoff can easily contaminate local rivers and drinking water

make something dirty or toxic by adding a harmful substance

enforce regulations

Environmental agencies must strictly enforce regulations on wildlife hunting

compel observance of laws and rules

raise awareness

Schools host annual environment days to raise awareness about global warming

increase public knowledge on an important topic

sustainable

Using solar panels is a highly sustainable method of generating household power

capable of being maintained without harming the environment

renewable

Wind and geothermal heat are unlimited, renewable resources

naturally replenished and never running out

environmentally friendly

Switching to paper bags is an environmentally friendly choice for shoppers

not harmful to the natural environment

wasteful

Leaving household lights on all day is an incredibly wasteful habit

using resources carelessly or excessively

irreversible

Melting glaciers could cause irreversible damage to global sea levels

permanent and impossible to change back

energy-efficient

Smart home appliances are designed to be highly energy-efficient

using less power to achieve the same result

large-scale

The country is launching a large-scale tree planting initiative in rural provinces

involving a massive area, population, or effort

long-term

Reducing carbon output will have a major long-term benefit for global weather

lasting or extending over a great period of time

public transport infrastructure

Expanding public transport infrastructure reduces the number of cars on the road

the physical system of buses and trains

single-use plastics

Supermarkets are banning single-use plastics to decrease ocean pollution

plastic items designed to be thrown away after one use

climate-related risk

Rising sea levels pose a severe climate-related risk to coastal cities

dangers stemming from changes in weather patterns

clean energy transition

Moving away from coal requires a massive clean energy transition

shifting from fossil fuels to green power sources

environmental regulation

Strict environmental regulation forces corporations to clean up their manufacturing habits

laws designed to protect the natural world

recycling facilities

Many rural neighborhoods lack proper recycling facilities for electronic waste

centers where rubbish is processed for reuse

green space

Adding more green space to urban areas helps lower city temperatures

parks, gardens, or nature zones in a city

household waste

Composting food scraps can drastically reduce the amount of daily household waste

rubbish produced by an ordinary home

water scarcity

Extended droughts have caused severe water scarcity across agricultural regions

a critical lack of sufficient fresh water resources

ecological balance

Protecting apex predators is crucial for maintaining a healthy ecological balance

the stable relationship between living organisms and their environment