Advanced Vocabulary for IELTS 7.0+: Environmental Issues and the Natural World (Part 6)

Greenhouse gases

gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, e.g., CO₂, methane

Cutting greenhouse gases is vital to slowing global warming.

Precious metals

valuable natural elements like gold, silver, platinum

Mining for precious metals often harms local ecosystems.

Renewable energy

energy from natural sources that are replenished, like wind or solar

Renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

Sustainable development

growth that meets needs without harming future generations

The UN promotes sustainable development goals globally.

Water shortage

a lack of sufficient water to meet demand

Severe water shortages are expected in urban areas.

Habitat destruction

damage to natural living spaces of animals or plants

Habitat destruction is a leading cause of extinction.

Aerosol sprays

pressurised sprays that release chemicals into the air

Aerosol sprays once contained ozone-depleting substances.

Paddy fields

flooded fields used to grow rice

Rising sea levels threaten paddy fields in Asia.

Acid rain

rain made acidic by industrial pollution

Acid rain damages forests and freshwater ecosystems.

Catalytic converter

a device in cars that reduces toxic emissions

All modern cars must be fitted with catalytic converters.

Dumping ground

an area where waste is irresponsibly discarded

Many rivers have become dumping grounds for plastic.

Energy-efficient

using less energy to perform the same task

Energy-efficient appliances lower electricity bills.

Climate change

long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns

Climate change has intensified heatwaves worldwide.

Oil spill

release of liquid petroleum into the environment, especially oceans

The oil spill devastated marine life along the coast.

Industrial waste

unwanted by-products from manufacturing

The factory was fined for dumping industrial waste in the river.

Heat wave

a prolonged period of excessively hot weather

Southern Europe suffered its worst heat wave in decades.

Bush fire

uncontrolled fire in forests/grasslands

The bush fire destroyed thousands of hectares of land.

Geothermal power

energy derived from the Earth’s heat

Iceland generates most of its electricity from geothermal power.

Toxic waste

hazardous waste harmful to health or the environment

The company was accused of illegally dumping toxic waste.

Factory fumes

harmful gases emitted from industrial production

Factory fumes contribute heavily to urban smog.

Exhaust fumes

gases expelled from a vehicle engine

Exhaust fumes are a major source of air pollution.

Coastal erosion

wearing away of coastlines by waves, tides, or currents

Coastal erosion has forced some communities to relocate.

Endangered species

animals or plants at risk of extinction

Conservation laws aim to protect endangered species.

Mass extinction

large-scale disappearance of species

Scientists warn we are entering a new mass extinction.

Food chain

a series of organisms dependent on each other for food

Pollution disrupts the food chain in marine environments.

Animal welfare

the ethical treatment of animals

Animal welfare groups protest against factory farming.

Waste disposal

the process of discarding or managing waste

Effective waste disposal is essential in cities.

Carbon footprint

the amount of CO₂ emissions from human activity

Flying increases your personal carbon footprint.

Fossil fuels

non-renewable energy sources like coal, oil, gas

Fossil fuels remain the largest contributor to carbon emissions.

Nuclear fallout

radioactive particles after a nuclear explosion

The nuclear fallout rendered the area uninhabitable.

Refuse collection

the system of collecting household rubbish

Refuse collection is delayed during public holidays.

Organic produce

food grown without synthetic chemicals

Consumers increasingly prefer organic produce.

Landfill site

an area where waste is buried

Landfill sites release methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Compost heap

a pile where organic waste decomposes naturally

Gardeners keep compost heaps to create natural fertilizer.

Exhaust fumes

gases released from vehicles or machines

Exhaust fumes pollute the air in most big cities.

Wildlife campaigner

a person advocating for the protection of animals

Wildlife campaigners work to save endangered species.

Septic tank

underground tank for sewage treatment

Rural houses often rely on septic tanks.

Recyclable waste

materials that can be processed for reuse

Glass and paper are common examples of recyclable waste.

Oil slick

a large patch of oil on the surface of the sea

The oil slick spread rapidly along the coastline.

Climate proxies

natural records like ice cores used to study climate

Scientists use climate proxies to reconstruct past climates.

Non-renewable resources

resources that cannot be replenished

Coal and petroleum are non-renewable resources.

Wind turbine

a machine that converts wind into electricity

Wind turbines are common in rural landscapes.