Environmental & Sustainability Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key environmental, sustainability, and general English terms from the lecture notes.

be made with

to be manufactured or composed using particular materials

disposable

designed for single-use and meant to be discarded after use

harm

to damage, injure, or cause negative effects

reusable

able to be used again multiple times

throw away

to discard or dispose of something

be conscious of

to be aware or mindful of something

raise awareness

to increase public knowledge or understanding of an issue

an alternative to

a substitute or different option in place of something

be cautious

to act carefully and avoid risks

chemicals

substances with a defined composition, often produced by or used in industry

make a difference

to have a significant positive impact or effect

origin

the beginning, source, or cause of something

ritual

a formal or ceremonial act regularly followed

ingredient

a component part of a mixture, recipe, or product

standard

an established level of quality or requirement

mitigate

to make less severe, serious, or painful

practice (n)

a habitual action, custom, or established way of doing something

decompose

to break down into simpler parts through decay

address a problem

to tackle, deal with, or find solutions to an issue

strategy

a planned set of actions designed to achieve a goal

procedure

an established or official way of carrying out a process

release

to set free or allow something to come out

emit

to give off or send out (light, heat, gas, etc.)

go green

to adopt environmentally friendly habits and lifestyle

litter (v)

to throw trash on the ground in public places

littering (n)

the act of improperly discarding waste in public areas

adopt habits

to begin practicing new behaviors regularly

discharge

to release or dispose of waste or substances

adapt to

to adjust or become suited to new conditions

household appliances

electric or mechanical devices used in the home

manage

to control, direct, or handle something effectively

utensils

tools or implements, especially for cooking or eating

alter

to change or modify

benefit (n)

an advantage or positive effect

benefit (v)

to receive advantage or gain

daily routine

regular tasks or activities done every day

access (v)

to reach, obtain, or make use of

examine

to inspect or study closely

substance

a particular kind of matter or material

natural resources

materials or substances occurring in nature that can be used for economic gain

contaminated

made impure by exposure to pollutants or toxins

polluted

dirtied or made harmful with waste or chemicals

endangered

at serious risk of extinction

populated

having inhabitants; occupied by people

population

the number of people living in a particular area

disturbed

interrupted, unsettled, or agitated

food leftovers

uneaten portions of food remaining after a meal

extreme weather

severe or unusual atmospheric conditions

toxic

poisonous or harmful to living organisms

frequency

the rate at which something occurs over a period of time

element

a basic component part; also a pure chemical substance

attitude

a settled way of thinking or feeling about something

landfill

a site where waste is buried under layers of earth

tension

mental or emotional strain; stress

break down

to separate or decompose into simpler parts

release … into

to emit or discharge something into another medium (e.g., air, water)

package (v)

to wrap or box goods for transport or sale

renewable energy

energy from sources that are naturally replenished (e.g., wind, solar)

generate

to produce or create

emission

gas or substance that is released into the environment

process (v)

to treat, handle, or refine something

put something at risk

to endanger or expose to harm

ignore

to deliberately pay no attention to

deforestation

the clearing or removal of forests

destroy

to ruin or demolish completely

transform

to change in form, nature, or appearance

lighten

to make lighter or reduce weight/burden

survive

to continue living or existing

extinction

the complete disappearance of a species

depletion

the exhaustion or reduction of resources

degradation

the deterioration or decline in quality

endanger

to put in danger; threaten

threaten

to pose a danger or risk to

tolerate

to endure or allow the existence of something unpleasant

handle

to manage, deal with, or control

endure

to withstand hardship or suffering over time

revise

to review and improve or study again

reintroduce

to bring something back after it has disappeared

reject

to refuse to accept, believe, or use

deny

to declare untrue or refuse to admit

renovate

to restore to a good condition; modernize

wildlife conservation

the protection and preservation of wild species and their habitats

habitat

the natural environment where an organism lives

be in danger

to be at risk of harm or loss

illegal hunting and trading

poaching and unlawful commerce of wildlife

irresponsible

not showing a proper sense of duty or obligation

seek

to look for or attempt to obtain

employ

to hire or give work to someone

rescue

to save someone or something from danger

rescue centre

a facility that cares for and rehabilitates rescued animals

captivity

the state of being confined or held under human control