Understanding environmental vocabulary is essential for discussing and addressing global ecological issues. This blog will introduce 30 key terms related to the environment, each with a brief definition and a short example sentence to help you better grasp their meanings and applications.
Vocabulary Words Related to the Environment
- Ecosystem
Definition: Community of interacting organisms.
Example: The forest ecosystem is diverse. - Biodiversity
Definition: Variety of life forms.
Example: Tropical rainforests have high biodiversity. - Conservation
Definition: Protection of natural resources.
Example: Conservation efforts help endangered species. - Sustainability
Definition: Meeting needs without harming future.
Example: Sustainable farming preserves soil health. - Pollution
Definition: Contamination of the environment.
Example: Air pollution affects human health. - Deforestation
Definition: Clearing of forests.
Example: Deforestation threatens wildlife habitats. - Renewable
Definition: Can be replenished naturally.
Example: Solar power is a renewable resource. - Climate Change
Definition: Long-term alteration in climate.
Example: Climate change causes extreme weather. - Carbon Footprint
Definition: Total greenhouse gases emitted.
Example: Reducing your carbon footprint helps. - Erosion
Definition: Gradual destruction by natural forces.
Example: Coastal erosion shapes shorelines. - Habitat
Definition: Natural home of an organism.
Example: Wetlands are a crucial habitat. - Greenhouse Effect
Definition: Warming due to trapped heat.
Example: The greenhouse effect warms the Earth. - Recycling
Definition: Converting waste into reusable material.
Example: Recycling reduces landfill waste. - Biodegradable
Definition: Capable of being decomposed naturally.
Example: Biodegradable plastics break down faster. - Organic
Definition: Produced without synthetic chemicals.
Example: Organic farming avoids pesticides. - Compost
Definition: Decomposed organic matter.
Example: Compost enriches garden soil. - Emissions
Definition: Pollutants released into the air.
Example: Car emissions contribute to smog. - Fossil Fuels
Definition: Energy sources from ancient organisms.
Example: Burning fossil fuels releases CO2. - Green Energy
Definition: Environmentally friendly power.
Example: Wind turbines generate green energy. - Overfishing
Definition: Depleting fish stocks by excessive fishing.
Example: Overfishing threatens ocean ecosystems. - Afforestation
Definition: Planting trees to create forests.
Example: Afforestation helps combat climate change. - Ecology
Definition: Study of organisms and their environment.
Example: Ecology examines life interactions. - Carbon Sink
Definition: Absorbs more carbon than releases.
Example: Forests act as carbon sinks. - Hydrosphere
Definition: All water on Earth’s surface.
Example: The hydrosphere includes oceans and lakes. - Photovoltaic
Definition: Converting light into electricity.
Example: Photovoltaic cells power solar panels. - Ozone Layer
Definition: Protective atmospheric layer.
Example: The ozone layer blocks UV rays. - Ecotourism
Definition: Tourism focused on natural environments.
Example: Ecotourism supports wildlife conservation. - Watershed
Definition: Area draining into a water body.
Example: The watershed feeds the river system. - Geothermal
Definition: Heat energy from within Earth.
Example: Geothermal energy heats buildings. - Sustainable Agriculture
Definition: Farming without depleting resources.
Example: Sustainable agriculture ensures future crops.
