Topics / Environment Vocabulary
Environment and Nature Vocabulary in English
Climate, wildlife, and the words for pollution, recycling, and the natural world. 89 words, A1 to C1.
89 words
Planet and Climate
EnvironmentB1The natural world, or the conditions around you.“We should protect the environment.”EnvironmentalB2Connected with the natural world and the effects of human activity on it.“The plant must publish an environmental impact assessment.”NatureA2The physical world of plants, animals, and the countryside.“She loves nature and often walks in the hills.”NaturalB2Existing in nature, not made by people; also expected or normal (a natural talent).“Map natural flood defences, not only concrete walls, the geography paper said.”PlanetB2A large round object in space that moves around a star.“Name the planet in the data table, not “a star” from a caption.”EarthA2The planet we live on.“The earth goes round the sun.”WorldA1The earth and all the people and countries on it.“English is used all over the world.”ClimateB1The usual weather in a place over a long period.“The climate here is wet in winter.”GreenhouseB1A glass building for growing plants; also greenhouse gases / the greenhouse effect.“The UK’s greenhouse gas target is in the climate act.”CarbonB2A chemical element in all living things, also used when talking about carbon dioxide and climate.“The company aims to cut its carbon emissions.”EmissionB2Gas, heat, or radiation sent out, especially from industry or vehicles (often plural: emissions).“New rules aim to cut carbon emissions from cars.”PollutionB2Damage to air, water, or land caused by harmful substances.“The geography paper graphs river pollution downstream of the mill.”EnergyB1The physical or mental strength to do things, or power from fuel or electricity.“I did not have the energy to cook after work.”SolarB1Connected with the sun, especially as a source of energy.“Solar panels on the school roof do not skip the listed-building consent.”WindA1Air that moves quickly.“The wind is strong today.”NuclearA2Connected with energy from splitting atoms, or with nuclear weapons.“The country closed its last nuclear power station.”PowerA2The ability to control people or things, or energy that makes machines work.“The storm cut the power for three hours.”ElectricityB1A form of energy used for lighting, heating, and powering machines.“The storm cut off the electricity for two hours.”FuelB1A substance such as coal, oil, or gas that is burned to produce heat or power.“The plane could not take off without fuel.”OilA2A thick liquid from plants or the ground, used in cooking or as fuel.“Add a little oil to the pan.”CoalB2A black rock burned for heat and power (uncountable).“The last coal plant on the estuary closed after the emissions cap.”GasA2A fuel used for cooking or heating, or a substance like air.“Light the gas before you put the pan on.”SustainableB2Able to continue without damaging the environment or running out; also able to be kept going.“A sustainable transport plan still needs a costed bus route, not a slogan.”SustainC1To keep something going over time.“It is hard to sustain a daily study habit.”ConservationB2The protection of nature, buildings, or resources.“The park is important for wildlife conservation.”ConserveB2To protect something and prevent it being wasted or destroyed.“Hospitals were asked to conserve oxygen during the surge.”GlacierB2A slow-moving mass of ice formed from compacted snow on land.“Map the glacier retreat on the OS extract, not a travel advert.”IceA1Frozen water, hard and cold.“There is ice in the drink.”MeltA2To become liquid because of heat.“The ice cream melted in the sun on the platform.”HeatwaveB1A period of unusually hot weather.“The Met Office warned that the heatwave would strain A&E.”StormA2Very bad weather with strong wind, rain, or snow.“The storm damaged several trees in the park.”HurricaneB1A very strong tropical storm with high winds.“Flights were grounded after the hurricane crossed the Atlantic.”FloodB1A large amount of water covering land that is usually dry.“The flood damaged many homes in the town.”DroughtB2A long period with little or no rain, so that land, crops, and water supplies suffer.“The drought ruined the wheat harvest.”
Waste and Energy
WasteB1To use too much of something, or to use it badly.“Don’t waste time on that game.”RubbishA2Waste that you throw away.“Put the rubbish in the bin, please.”LitterB1Rubbish dropped in a public place (usually uncountable); as a verb, to drop it.“Wardens fine people who drop litter on the high street.”BinA2A container for rubbish.“Please put the paper in the bin.”RecycleA2To treat used materials so they can be used again.“We recycle paper, glass, and plastic at home.”RecyclingA2The process of turning old materials into new products.“Put bottles and paper in the recycling, not the bin.”Recycle BinB1A bin for paper, plastic, glass, or other materials that can be recycled.“Clean bottles go in the recycle bin; food-stained pizza boxes go in general waste.”ReduceA2To make something smaller or less.“He is trying to reduce the time he spends on his phone.”PlasticA2A light, strong material made from chemicals, used for many objects.“The toys are made of plastic.”PackagingB2Materials used to wrap and protect goods (usually uncountable).“Quote the packaging waste figure, not a brand slogan, in the case study.”LandfillB2A site where waste is buried; also the waste put there.“The geography enquiry maps landfill sites downstream of the estate.”ToxicB2Poisonous; also very harmful to people or a culture (a toxic debate).“The dump was fenced after toxic waste was found.”ChemicalB1A substance used in or produced by a chemical process.“This cleaning chemical is dangerous.”ActivistB2A person who campaigns for social or political change.“The activist organised a protest about the new law.”ProtestB2A public action showing strong disagreement (a protest against).“Thousands joined a protest against the hospital closure.”CharityB1An organisation that helps people or animals in need.“She gives money to a local charity.”CampaignB1A planned set of activities to achieve a political, business, or social goal.“The charity launched a campaign for clean water.”PolicyB2A set of ideas or a plan used by a government, organisation, or person; also an insurance contract.“The school has a strict policy on mobile phones.”BanB2To officially forbid something.“The school banned phones in class.”TaxA2Money you pay to the government from pay or shopping.“The price includes tax, so you pay this amount at the till.”CycleA2To ride a bicycle.“She cycles to college every morning.”HybridC1Made by combining two different types or methods.“A hybrid exam (online task plus invigilated paper) split the cohort.”OffsetC1To counterbalance an effect with an opposite one.“A small bursary did not offset the rent rise near campus.”OrganicA2Grown or made without artificial chemicals.“She buys organic vegetables at the market.”
Wildlife and Landscapes
WildlifeA2Animals and plants living in nature.“The park is famous for its wildlife.”SpeciesB2A group of animals or plants that can breed together; one kind of living thing.“Name the species on the quadrat sheet, not a vague “bird”.”ExtinctB2Of a species, no longer existing; of a volcano, no longer active.“The local red squirrel is not extinct, the wildlife trust said.”ExtinctionB2The dying out of a species, or the state of no longer existing (usually uncountable).“Quote the extinction date in the fossil table, then the species, not a slogan.”HabitatC1The natural environment in which a plant or animal normally lives.“The marsh is the bird’s last habitat on this stretch of coast.”EcosystemC1A community of living things and their environment, working as a system.“The forest is a rich ecosystem.”BiodiversityB2The variety of living things in a particular area or on earth.“The rainforest is rich in biodiversity.”ForestA2A large area of land with many trees.“We walked in the forest.”DeforestationC1The cutting down or clearing of forest over a large area.“Deforestation in the methods note is a land-use fact, not a green logo on the cover.”TreeA1A tall plant with a wooden stem and leaves.“There is a big tree in the park.”WoodA2The hard material from trees; also a small forest.“The table is made of wood.”PlantA2A living thing such as a tree or flower that grows in the ground.“Water the plants twice a week.”FlowerA1The colourful part of a plant.“He gave her some flowers.”RiverA1A long line of water that flows to the sea or a lake.“The river is wide here.”LakeA2A large area of water surrounded by land.“We walked around the lake at the weekend.”OceanA2A very large area of sea.“They crossed the Atlantic Ocean by ship.”SeaA1A large area of salt water.“They swam in the sea.”CoastB1The land next to the sea.“They spent the weekend on the south coast.”BeachA1Sand or stones beside the sea.“The children played on the beach.”MountainA1A very high hill.“They walked in the mountains.”ValleyA2Low land between hills or mountains, often with a river.“The village lies in a green valley.”DesertB1A large area of very dry land, often with sand and almost no rain.“Camels can travel across the desert for days.”IslandA1A piece of land with water all around it.“They live on a small island.”ParkA1A public area with grass and trees where people can walk and play.“The children play in the park.”AllotmentB2A small plot of public land rented for growing food; also a share allocated to someone.“Map the allotment on the OS extract, then the plot number; an allotment of funds still needs the £ line.”ProtectA2To keep someone or something safe from harm.“A helmet can protect your head.”AnimalA1A living creature that is not a plant, such as a dog or a bird.“The farm has many animals.”BirdA1An animal with wings and feathers that can usually fly.“A bird is singing in the tree.”InsectA1A small animal with six legs, such as a fly, ant, or bee.“An insect is on the window.”FishA1An animal that lives in water and that people often eat.“We eat fish on Friday.”MammalB2A warm-blooded animal that feeds its young with milk.“A whale is a mammal in the classification key, not a fish.”