IELTS VOCABULARY BY TOPICS

THE ENVIRONMENT
1. to discharge chemical waste

Meaning: to dispose of waste products from chemical processes.

Example: Nowadays, more and more company and industrial zones have been
discharging chemical waste into rivers, causing death to many fish and other aquatic
animals.

2. environmental degradation

Meaning: the process or fact of the environment becoming worse

Example: Africa is a continent in which environmental degradation is evident in the

3. to take action on global warming

Meaning: to do what has to be done on problems related to global warming

Example: There have been numerous international conferences to warn of the

4. to be bio-degradable

Meaning: a substance or chemical that can be changed to a natural harmless state by

Example: Most plastics are not biodegradable, and remain as waste products in the
environment for thousands of years.

5. to deplete natural resources

Meaning: To reduce the amount of natural resources.

Example: Timber companies must not be allowed to deplete natural resources by

1
4
 IELTS VOCABULARY BY TOPICS

cutting down trees without planting new trees to replace them.

6. ozone layer depletion

Meaning: refers to a steady decline in the total amount of ozone in the Earth's
atmosphere

Example: Ozone layer depletion has the effect of allowing harmful radiation from
the sun to penetrate the atmosphere and this increases the risk to humans of skin
cancer.

7. an ecological crisis

Meaning: a serious situation that occurs when the environment of a species or a

Example: Environmental degradation caused by human activity is provoking an

8. carbon footprint

Meaning: a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide that is produced by the daily
activities of a company or person

Example: By providing subsidies, governments should encourage companies to

9. to cut down on emissions

Meaning: to reduce the amount of gases sent out into the air

Example: People must be made aware of the need to cut down on emissions from their
cars if we are to reduce air pollution.

1
5
 IELTS VOCABULARY BY TOPICS

10. to fight climate change

Meaning: To try to prevent changes in climate patterns, such as rainfall, temperature and
winds.

Example: Unless we consume less of the Earth’s natural resources, it will be impossible to
fight climate change and safeguard our future.

11. to reduce the dependence/reliance on fossil fuels

Meaning: to decrease people’s consumption of fossil fuels, like oil, coal or gas.

Example: Governments must invest heavily in solar and wind energy projects in order to
reduce our dependence/reliance on fossil fuels.

12. to alleviate environmental problems

Meaning: to make bad environmental problems less severe

Example: Everyone can assist in the effort to alleviate environmental problems in the
local community through simple actions such as recycling waste or planting a tree in their
garden.

13. to throw one’s weigh behind sth

Meaning: To use one's influence to help support

Example: The council is to throw its weight behind a campaign to save one of the
borough's best-loved beauty spots.

14. to hold sbdy accountable for + noun/gerund

Meaning: to consider someone responsible for something; to blame something on

Example: Companies which discharge chemical waste from their factories into the sea or
into rivers must be held accountable for their actions and be fined heavily.

1
6
 IELTS VOCABULARY BY TOPICS

15. to achieve sustainable development

Meaning: economic development that is achieved without depleting natural resources

Example: Organic methods must be introduced everywhere in order to achieve

16. alternative energy sources

Meaning: refers to any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel

Example: Clean energy which does not pollute the Earth can only come from greater
reliance on alternative energy sources.

17. food miles

Meaning: Distance food has to travel between where it is grown or made and where it is
consumed

Example: We can all reduce our carbon footprint by flying less, and reduce our food miles
by buying local produce.

18. captive breeding

Meaning: the reproduction of animals in confinement, not in their natural habitats.

Example: A successful captive breeding programing zoos has resulted in an increase in the
world’s panda population.

19. to stem from

Meaning: to be caused by Example: Scientists say that global warming partly stems from
the increase in car exhaust emissions.

20. environmental impact assessment

Meaning: a study into how a development, like a new road, a new dam or other
construction activity will affect the plants, animals and local communities living in an area.

Example: The government must commission an independent environmental impact

1
7
 IELTS VOCABULARY BY TOPICS

assessment whenever a new development is proposed.

21. the greenhouse effect

Meaning: the natural process by which the sun warms the surface of the Earth.

Example: Our burning of fossil fuels is increasing the greenhouse effect and making the
Earth hotter, endangering all life on the planet.

22. global warming

Meaning: the process by which the Earth is getting hotter, as a result of the greenhouse
effect – in particular the increase in carbon dioxide in the air.

Example: Perhaps the major environmental challenge which faces humanity today is global
warming, because it threatens our survival.

23. habitat destruction

Meaning: the process that occurs when a natural habitat, like a forest or wetland, is
changed so dramatically by humans that plants and animals which live there.

Example: The elephant population in the world is declining because of habitat destruction
caused by human exploitation of the environment.

24. endangered species

Meaning: plants or animals that only exist in very small numbers, so that in future they may
disappear forever

Example: One example of an endangered species is the lowland gorilla, which has almost
disappeared as a result of the destruction of its forest habitat.

25. on the brink of extinction

Meaning: an animal or plant which has almost disappeared from the planet

Example: Before the captive breeding program in zoos, the giant panda was on the brink
of extinction

1
8
 IELTS VOCABULARY BY TOPICS

26. renewable energy

Meaning: energy is renewable when it source, like the sun or wind, cannot be exhausted or
can easily be replaced (like wood, as we can plant trees for energy)

Example: More funding is required from government funds to help companies to develop
renewable energy, such as companies which produce solar panels for buildings.

27. wind farms

Meaning: an area of land on which there are a lot of windmills or wind turbines for
producing electricity

Example: Wind farms should be constructed in mountainous areas or in the sea, close to
land.

28. environmentally friendly

Meaning: behavior or products that do not harm the environment

Example: We can help to protect the environment by using detergents and cosmetics that
are environmentally friendly.

29. toxic waste

Many species of fish are endangered as a result of the toxic waste dumped by industries
into the rivers and the sea.

30. the green movement

Meaning: all the organisations concerned with the protection of the environment

Example: Individuals should join one of the organisations which form part of the green
movement, in order to campaign for changes in official policy on the environment.
Home work:
Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments rather than
individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people believe that international free-car days are effective ways to reduce the air
pollution. However, the others argue that there are other several ways that are more
effective Discuss both views & give your own opinion. 1
9