For intermediate learners — build vocabulary around climate, ecosystems, conservation, and environmental issues discussed in everyday media.
35 cards
climate
the typical weather conditions of a region over a long period of time.
habitat
the natural environment where a particular plant or animal normally lives.
ecosystem
all the plants, animals, and organisms in an area and how they interact with each other and their environment.
drought
a long period of little or no rainfall that causes water shortages and dry land.
species
a group of animals or plants of the same type that can reproduce with each other.
conservation
the protection of the natural environment, especially from damage caused by human activity.
renewable
describing energy from natural sources that are never used up, such as wind or sunlight.
sustainable
relating to a way of using natural resources that can continue for a long time without causing serious damage.
carbon
a chemical element found in all living things; also the basis of carbon dioxide gas linked to climate change.
greenhouse gas
a gas such as carbon dioxide that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere and contributes to warming.
global warming
the gradual rise in the earth's average temperature caused by an increase in greenhouse gases.
deforestation
the cutting down and removal of trees from a large area of forest.
endangered
describing a species at serious risk of dying out and becoming extinct.
extinct
describing a species that no longer exists because all of its members have died.
pollution
harmful substances that contaminate the air, water, or land and damage the environment.
recycle
to collect and process used materials so they can be made into new products.
emit
to send out or release something, especially gas or radiation, into the environment.
preserve
to keep something in its original condition and protect it from damage or change.
native
relating to plants or animals that originally come from a specific place and live there naturally.
overpopulation
a situation in which too many people or animals live in an area for the available resources.
landfill
a large hole in the ground where rubbish is buried under the earth.
erosion
the gradual wearing away of rock or soil by wind, water, or ice over time.
waterfall
a place where water flows over a cliff or steep drop, falling into a pool below.
predator
an animal that hunts and eats other animals to survive.
prey
an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
organic
relating to food or farming that uses no artificial chemicals or pesticides.
compost
a mixture of rotted plant and food waste used to improve soil quality.
habitat loss
the destruction or reduction of a natural environment that plants and animals need to survive.
solar energy
energy produced by converting sunlight into electricity using panels or other technology.
tide
the regular rise and fall of the sea level caused by the pull of the moon.
glacier
a very large, slowly moving mass of ice formed from packed snow on a mountain or in a polar region.
absorb
to take in or soak up a substance, energy, or gas, like a sponge takes in water.
scarce
describing something that exists in very small amounts and is difficult to find or obtain.
migrate
to move from one region or country to another, often seasonally, as many birds and animals do.
altitude
the height of a place above sea level.