IELTS Vocabulary for the Environment

harmful substances or waste damaging air, water, or land

In my city, pollution gets much worse in winter because of traffic.

to process used materials so they can be used again

My family started to recycle paper and bottles a few years ago.

long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns

I think climate change is the biggest problem my generation will face.

materials like water, wood, or minerals that come from nature

My country has a lot of natural resources, especially forests and rivers.

power from sources that do not run out, like sun or wind

More houses near me are switching to renewable energy like solar panels.

to act so that nature is not damaged

I try to protect the environment by walking instead of driving short distances.

rubbish made of plastic that is thrown away

There is so much plastic waste on the beaches near my hometown.

animals and plants living in their natural environment

The national park near my city protects a lot of local wildlife.

buses, trains, and other shared transport open to everyone

I take public transport to work because it produces less pollution than driving.

the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air

Factories in my region are being asked to lower their carbon emissions.

the amount of carbon dioxide your activities produce

Flying less is the easiest way to shrink my carbon footprint.

to gradually stop using something

My country plans to phase out petrol cars over the next decade.

to cause gradual damage or harm

I think years of overfishing take a toll on local fish populations.

to become extinct or disappear completely

Several bird species in the area have started to die out.

causing little or no harm to nature

I always look for environmentally friendly packaging when I go shopping.

to gradually use up resources faster than they renew

Heavy industry in the region continues to deplete natural resources quickly.

a supply of something that is steadily decreasing

Farmers in the area are already struggling with dwindling resources like water.

to limit or reduce harmful gases released into the air

New taxes on fuel are meant to curb emissions from private cars.

to take strong action to stop something illegal

Authorities have started to crack down on illegal logging in the forest.

to help more people understand or notice an issue

Our school ran a campaign to raise awareness about ocean plastic.

plastic items designed to be thrown away after one use

My city banned single-use plastic bags in supermarkets last year.

to take direct action to address climate change

Young people I know feel we should tackle climate change more urgently.

harm that cannot be undone or repaired

Scientists warn that some coral reefs have already suffered irreversible damage.

an amount too small to make a real difference

One recycling bin per street feels like a drop in the ocean.

falsely presenting a product or company as environmentally friendly

Some brands are guilty of greenwashing rather than making real changes.

ways of doing things that cannot continue without causing harm

The fishing industry there has relied on unsustainable practices for decades.

the reduction of different species and habitats in an area

Deforestation is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide.

completely vulnerable to something with no control over it

Coastal towns are increasingly at the mercy of rising sea levels.

to balance out one effect with an opposite action

Some airlines let passengers offset the emissions from their flight.

the moment when change becomes irreversible or unstoppable

Some scientists believe we are close to the tipping point on ice loss.