the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism
noun
Examples:
• Deforestation destroys the natural habitat of many species.
• The polar bear's habitat is threatened by climate change.
capable of being replenished naturally and not depleted by use, especially as a source of energy
adjective
Examples:
• Solar and wind power are the most widely adopted forms of renewable energy.
• The government committed to sourcing 80% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2040.
the large-scale removal or clearing of forests, typically to convert land for agriculture or development
noun
Examples:
• Deforestation in the Amazon has accelerated due to expanding cattle ranching and soy farming.
• Scientists warn that continued deforestation will push numerous species to the brink of extinction.
the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation into the atmosphere
noun
Examples:
• The factory has reduced its carbon emissions by forty percent.
• New regulations require car manufacturers to cut emissions significantly.
the presence of harmful substances in the environment caused by human activity
noun
Examples:
• Air pollution in the city has reached dangerous levels.
• The factory was fined for dumping chemicals that caused water pollution.
the process of converting waste materials into new usable products to reduce resource consumption
noun
Examples:
• The city introduced mandatory recycling bins for glass, paper, and plastic.
• Recycling aluminum cans uses significantly less energy than producing new ones from raw ore.
the protection of natural resources and the environment
noun
Examples:
• Conservation efforts saved the species from extinction.
• The park was established for the conservation of wildlife.
a glass or transparent structure used for growing plants in a controlled environment
noun
Examples:
• The botanical garden's greenhouse maintained a tropical climate year-round.
• She cultivated rare orchids in her backyard greenhouse.
a chemical element that forms the basis of all known life and occurs in many forms
noun
Examples:
• Carbon dioxide levels continue to rise.
• Diamonds are made of pure carbon.
at serious risk of extinction due to dramatically reduced population numbers
adjective
Examples:
• The Amur leopard is one of the most endangered big cats in the world, with fewer than a hundred individuals remaining.
• Conservation groups are lobbying for stricter protections for endangered marine species in the Pacific.
a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall leading to a shortage of water
noun
Examples:
• The severe drought devastated crops across the entire region.
• Farmers struggled to keep their livestock alive during the months-long drought.
a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment as a system
noun
Examples:
• Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
• Introducing an invasive species can disrupt the balance of an entire ecosystem within years.
a form of oxygen with three atoms per molecule, forming a protective layer in the upper atmosphere that absorbs ultraviolet radiation
noun
Examples:
• The Montreal Protocol was a landmark agreement to phase out chemicals responsible for depleting the ozone layer.
• Elevated ground-level ozone concentrations can trigger respiratory problems in sensitive individuals.
a natural fuel such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient living organisms
noun
Examples:
• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to climate change.
• Many countries are investing in renewable energy to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
a flat panel designed to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity or heat
noun
Examples:
• The homeowners installed solar panels on their roof to lower their energy costs.
• Advances in solar panel technology have made renewable energy more affordable than ever.
a machine with large rotating blades driven by the wind to generate electricity
noun
Examples:
• The offshore wind turbines generate enough electricity to power thousands of homes.
• A single large wind turbine can produce up to several megawatts of clean energy.
long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, largely driven by human activity
noun
Examples:
• Scientists warn that climate change will cause more frequent and severe droughts across the region.
• Governments worldwide are negotiating agreements to limit the effects of climate change on future generations.
an underwater structure built from the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps, supporting one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth
noun
Examples:
• Rising ocean temperatures have caused widespread bleaching events that have devastated coral reef ecosystems across the tropics.
• The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, stretching over two thousand kilometres along the Australian coast.
the ability to maintain or develop practices that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs
noun
Examples:
• The company published an annual sustainability report detailing its carbon footprint reduction targets.
• Urban planners are increasingly incorporating sustainability principles into building codes and zoning laws.
the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or on Earth as a whole
noun
Examples:
• Deforestation poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of tropical rainforests.
• Conservation efforts aim to protect the biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems.