Environment and nature (B1 Vocabulary)

Greenhouse gases trap heat and cause global warming; your carbon footprint is how much you produce; pollution is dirt in air and water, like smog.

The problem: pollution and warming

• Try it: Liam: What's the main cause of global warming? Amina: Cars and factories give off ___, and they trap heat. Choose the word for the blank. (greenhouse gases / carbon footprints / smog) Answer: greenhouse gases — Greenhouse gases are the gases that trap heat; a "carbon footprint" only measures them.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
carbon footprint	/ˈkɑrbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/	Lani takes the train to reduce her carbon footprint.
greenhouse gases	/ˈɡrinhaʊs ˈɡæsɪz/	Burning coal releases greenhouse gases.
global warming	/ˈɡloʊbəl ˈwɔrmɪŋ/	The article explained how global warming affects coastal cities.
smog	/smɑɡ/	Thick smog covered the skyline in the morning.
pollution	/pəˈluʃən/	Pollution from the old factory turned the river brown.

More damage to name

Deforestation is cutting down forests faster than they grow back; an oil spill is oil escaping into the sea or onto land.

• Try it: Ira: Why is the forest near Senfarrow Brook getting smaller? Mateo: Because of ___. They're cutting trees down for farms. Choose the word for the blank. (deforestation / an oil spill / smog) Answer: deforestation — Deforestation means cutting down forests faster than they grow back.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
deforestation	/ˌdiːˌfɔrɪˈsteɪʃən/	A report in the Senfarren Gazette warned about deforestation in the hills.
oil spill	/ɔɪl spɪl/	Volunteers from Haffenville cleaned the coast after an oil spill.

The solution: what people do about it

Use conserve (use less), protect (keep safe) and recycle (use again) for what people do to help; waste means use carelessly.

• Try it: Hiroshi: Why do you always unplug your charger? Sofia: To ___ electricity. It adds up. Choose the word for the blank. (conserve / protect / recycle) Answer: conserve — Conserve means use less, which is what unplugging a charger does.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
conserve	/kənˈsɜrv/	The hotel asks guests to conserve water.
protect	/prəˈtekt/	New rules protect the wetland from construction.
recycle	/riˈsaɪkəl/	Yasmin recycles glass bottles after the community dinner.
waste	/weɪst/	Don't waste food. Put the rest in the fridge.

The clean alternative

Renewable energy comes from sources nature keeps replacing, like the sun and wind, and makes fewer greenhouse gases.

• Try it: Wei: What are those big white turbines on the hill? Lars: They make ___ from the wind. Choose the words for the blank. (renewable energy / greenhouse gases / an oil spill) Answer: renewable energy — Nature keeps replacing the wind, so turbines make renewable energy.

Word	Pronunciation	Example
renewable energy	/rɪˈnuːəbəl ˈɛnərdʒi/	Haffenville Community Center now runs on renewable energy.