WORD BANKS A 26 ENVIRONMENT

" / i . ... '

Many people believe that the way we live our lives today is having a very
damaging effect on the environm ent. Here are some examples of the kinds
of problems we face, followed by some things that we can do to help
protect our environment.
The G reenhouse Effect
Pollution from cars, factories, and power stations is causing harmful
greenhouse g a ses to build up in the Earth’s atmosphere. These gases
prevent heat from escaping, and as a result our planet is getting warmer.
This process is known as
global warming.
Global warming is causing the
ice at the North and South
Poles to melt and sea levels
and sea temperatures to rise,
leading to serious flooding and
violent storms in many parts of
the world. In other places,
there will be less rain and the
land will be turned into desert.

I the environment T 1signs of damage to the environment

,• /di in'vaipranm ant/ [n
singular] the air, water, and land where people,
animals, and plants live: chemicals that pollute the
environment | New laws are being introduced to
protect the environment.
. : v ' [ad\\ an environmental catastrophe
(=a disaster for the environment)
/I'kolaclgilli'ka:-/ [n U] the way in which
plants and animals and natural features of a
place affect and depend on each other: the
natural ecology of the region
icological [adj] relating to the environment:
Destruction of the rainforests is fast becoming an
ecological disaster.
.'ibflat /'haebgtaet/ [n U] the natural home of a
plant or animal: The gorilla’s natural habitat is in
Africa. _ layer protects the Earth from the harmful effects
T:e food chain /da 'fuid tjem/ [n singular] the
natural system in which, for example, an insect
eats a plant, a bird eats the insect, an animal eats
the bird etc, with the result that all these different
forms of life depend on each other: the threat to
life higher up the food chain
/ 7.r /,glaubpl 'wo:rm ig/ [n U] a
general increase in the temperature of the world,
' caused by pollution from cars, factories etc: We
are already starting to see the effects of global
warming.
\ .• /'klarnigt ,tjem d 3/ [n U]
changes in the weather around the world, which
result in much higher or lower temperatures,
violent storms, floods etc: an international confer-
ence on climate change
the greenhouse & lh c t /da 'grim haus i.fek t/ [n
C] the gradual warming of the Earth caused by
pollution that stops heat from leaving the Earth’s
atmosphere
: 7 - - /di 'ouzoun ,Ieia7 [n q a layer
0f natural gases around the Earth. The ozone
of the sun, but pollution is causing a hole in it:
The hole in the ozone layer is thought to be
responsible for an increase in cases of skin cancer.
c ja level /'sii .lev.?!/ [n q the natural level of the
water in the world’s oceans, which will rise if
ENVIRONMENT A27
G v Ib fO G G/ORi) Coirs
The biggest polluter today is the
car. Exhaust fumes are the main
cause of poor air quality, which can
make people feel ill and have
difficulty in breathing. This problem
is especially bad in cities, where the
number of cars is increasing every
year, causing serious congestion
and filling the air with smog.
Governments try to improve the
situation by encouraging people to
use their cars less or buy cars that
do not use as much fuel.
global warming continues: Scientists are predict­
ing a substantial rise in sea levels over the next 20
years.
/'rein.fDr^stll-.foi-, -,fa:-/ [n C] a
tropical forest with tall trees growing very close
together, in an area where it rains a lot. Rain­
forests are very important for the balance of the
Earth’s ecology: Rainforests cover about 6% of the
Earth’s surface. \ It is estimated that about 1% of
rainforests are being cut down every year.
deforestation /dii,fDra steiJ>nll-,fo:-, -,fa:-/ [n
U] a situation in which most of the trees in an
area are cut down or destroyed, resulting in great
damage to the environment: the rapid pace of
deforestation in Malaysia
endangered species /in,deind 33rd 'spiijnz/ [n
C] a type of plant or animal that is likely to stop
existing completely, for example because of
hunting or pollution
■extinct /ik'stirjkt/ [adf\ if a type of animal or plant
is extinct, it no longer exists and there are no
animals or plants of that type alive: extinct
animals such as the dodo
extinction [n C/U] The white rhino is close to
extinction. (=there are almost none left)
WORD BANKS
lin e destruction o f a n im a l
d a m l'a /js
All over the world, wildlife habitats
are being destroyed. There are many
endangered species that could soon
become extinct. Rainforests are
being cut down so that people can
grow crops and feed the world’s
increasing population. Modern
farming methods, for example using
pesticides and genetically m odified
crops, are having a very bad effect
on the food chain. Killing insects
may be useful for growing crops, but
it reduces the amount of available
food for other animals and birds.
Climate change is also making
conditions difficult for some animals.
In the Arctic, the ice is melting,
threatening the survival of animals
such as polar bears.
1 things that can damage the
i environment
pxIiGSon /po'luiJGn/ [n U] harmful chemicals,
gases, or waste materials from factories, cars etc
that have gone into the air, land, or water:
pollution from cars \ air pollution | dangerously
high pollution levels in our rivers
nolluter [n C/U] something or someone that
causes pollution
' 7 /'griinhaus .gsesgZ/ [n
plural] gases that form a layer around the Earth
and keep the heat in. These gases are produced
naturally, but increasing quantities of gases are
being produced from cars and factories, causing
global warming
xjr/j-as /fjuim z/ [n U] harmful gas or smoke, for
example from cars or factories, which damages
the environment and harms people’s health:
exhaust fumes
z i z : j /smDgllsmaig/ [n U] a mixture of smoke
and fog in cities, caused by gases from cars or
factories: the smog in Los Angeles
ition /kan'dgestJGn/ [n U] a situation in
which there are too many cars on a road, and the
WORD BANKS A28 vA-jiRomm-n

A lte r n a tiv e s o u rc e s o f e n erg y

Burning fossil fuels to produce energy causes a lot of pollution.
Renewable sources of energy such as wind power, wave power, and
solar power are much cleaner. People can also easily reduce the amount
of energy they use. A lot of electricity is wasted by leaving on lights,
televisions, and other electrical equipment when they are not being used.
Our society produces huge amounts of waste, which end up having to be
burned, buried, or taken out to sea. This waste produces greenhouse
gases, and also spoils the environment. If we recycle material such as
glass, paper, and metal, this will reduce the amount of waste that is
produced.

solar power wave power wind power

cars move very slowly, causing a lot of pollution:
Traffic congestion is now a major problem in many
cities.
pesticides /'pestgsaidz/ [n plural] chemicals that
are used for killing insects and animals that
attack crops
f .... /,CI31: 'enn , d3i.net-
ikli 'mDdgfaidll-ma:-/ [adj] GM crops have
had their genes changed in order to make them
more convenient to grow. Some people believe
that they may cause damage to the environ­
ment.: trials of GM crops in Europe | Many
consumers don’t want to eat genetically modified
foods.
toxic waste /,toksik lweistll,ta:k-/ [n U] very
dangerous waste materials, for example from
nuclear power stations or chemical factories
fossil fuels /TdspI .fjumlzll'fai-/ [n plural] fuels
such as coal or oil. Burning these fuels causes a
lot of carbon gases to be released into the
atmosphere
v.W /,£esgd 'rein/ [n U] rain that contains
• pollution from factories, power stations etc,
which causes damage to forests
t ;things that are good for the
environment
.7 ; /grim/ [adj] used to talk about anything that
is good for the environment, or about ideas
relating to protecting the environment: The build­
ing uses green electricity from a wind turbine. \
green sources of energy | information about green
products I a discussion about green issues
eBviü'onmentalSy-frieiidh/ / sco-frier*#/
/m.vaipran.mentl-i ‘frendli, ,iikou 'frendli/
[adj] environmentally-friendly products or
methods do not cause harm to the environment:
environmentally-friendly forms of transport
f.:u :/k liin / [adj] clean technology, electricity etc
does not produce pollution and does not harm
the environment: investment in clean technology \
clean electricity
"W ] \ /ri'njumb^lll-'nui-/ [adj] renewable
sources of energy use fuels that can be replaced
naturally, and so they are never completely used
up: the switch from fossil fuels to renewable sources
of energy
/oV'gæmk/ [adj] organic foods are pro­
duced naturally, without the use of chemical
ENVIRONMENT A29
Environmentally-friendly form s
o f transport
If more people used public transport,
this would reduce the amount of
pollution. Public transport is much
more environm entally-friendly,
because buses and trains can carry
large numbers of people at the same
time, whereas cars often carry only
one person. Car p ools are another
way of reducing the number of cars
on our roads. The big car companies
are also working on developing new
engine technology, so that cars can
run on cleaner fuels such as
hydrogen instead of petrol. For
shorter journeys cycling is a much
healthier alternative to driving a car,
and many towns have introduced
special cycle lanes.
pesticides that have a bad effect on the environ­
ment: organic milk | organic farming (=not using
harmful chemicals)
sustainable /so'steinobN / [ady] sustainable
methods of farming, fishing etc do not use up
more land, natural resources etc than can be
replaced naturally, and therefore do not cause
harm to the environment
recycle /rit'saik^l/ [v I,T] to use materials that
have already been used, in order to make new
products: Old newspapers are collected for
recycling. | recycled glass
a lte rn a tiv e /o:l't3:rnotiv/ [ady] alternative
methods, energy, technology etc are to do with
producing electricity without using fossil fuels, in
order not to cause harm to the environment:
Wind is an obvious source of alternative energy.
/'souk)r ,pauor, 'w ind ,pauar, 'w eiv ,pauo7 [n
C] energy from the sun, the wind, or the move­
ment of the sea, used to make electricity
c:::. . .in::/;; /'w ind f a :rm/ [n C] a group of tall
structures with blades which turn with the wind
WORD BANKS
G reen products
We can also help the environment
by choosing to buy green products,
for example organic foods that are
produced without using pesticides.
Not only are pesticides bad for the
environment, the chemicals in them
can also be harmful to humans. If
we buy wood from sustainable
sources, this will mean that our
forests can be maintained for future
generations.
So much of modern life is based
around shopping and buying new
things. Everything is out-of-date in
only a few years or even months. If
we stopped buying and throwing
away so many things, this would
help ease the pressure on the
environment.
and are used to produce electricity. These struc­
tures are called wind turbines,
cay pool /'k a ir pu:l/ [n C] a group of car owners
who agree to go in one car together, instead of all
driving to work in separate cars
b a s ï a R s / c / d a îa-FÆ Br itish b î c v d l s ici?. 3 Am er i ­
can /'b A S lein, 'saikpllein, 'b o isik d lein/ [n C]
a special section of the road for buses or bicycles
only
f ! people who want to protect the
environment
eK viaoraiisfitai gyoap /in.vai^ran'm entl
,gru:p/ [n C] a group of people who try to protect
the environment, especially by influencing the
government and large companies
gfeeia /grim / [ady] green parties and politicians
are concerned with protecting the environment:
the Green Party | green politicians
31 The environment
A Damaging the environment
Read this extract from a report on getting rid of waste.

Disposal of household waste is a daunting task for local authorities. Towns and cities cannot
just dump1 such waste and hope it will go away. Household waste contains many materials and
substances which are extremely harmful to the environment, and authorities need long-term
solutions. Efforts to recycle waste are only a partial solution. Meanwhile, the problem of toxic2
waste remains. One expert recently warned that the risks to public health are so great that we
may have less than a decade to avoid an environmental catastrophe on a global scale.

1 2
dispose of in an irresponsible manner poisonous

B Climate change and its consequences

Here is an interview with Gary Prime, an American rock star known
for his support of environmental campaigns, who is visiting London.
Interviewer: Would you agree that climate change is the most urgent
issue facing us today?
Prime: Definitely. You only have to look at the changing weather
patterns in many parts of the world. It’s absolutely vital
that we change our ways before it’s too late. Parts of Europe
which used to be cooler now experience intense, searing heat1, and temperatures
soar above the average every summer. Other areas suffer widespread flooding on a
regular basis. We can’t continue in this way without there being dire2 consequences.
Interviewer: So what can people do in the face of this irreversible climate change?
Prime: Well, for a start we can all reduce our carbon footprint3 by flying less, and reduce
our food miles4 by buying local produce. Some airlines have schemes now for
offsetting carbon emissions5.
Interviewer: Flying’s only one part of it, though. Most of the problems come from vehicle
emissions and power stations.
Prime: True, but there are things we can do about that too. Buy a
hybrid car6, develop alternative energy sources for homes,
solar heating for instance, and build more offshore7 wind
farms. Oil supplies will run dry8 within 50 years. Renewable
energy can make a real difference. And politicians shouldn’t
be afraid of introducing green taxes9 and incentives to
encourage eco-friendly design in architecture. With sufficient
will, we can find a solution.
Interviewer: Gary Prime, thank you for giving up your time for this interview.
Prime: No problem. I’ve got just enough time to catch my flight to Los Angeles.
1
extreme heat 2 extremely serious 6
a car can alternate between different
3
amount of carbon dioxide created by a person/business energy sources (e.g. petrol and battery)
4 7
distance food has to travel between where it is grown or at sea, away from the coast
8
made and where it is consumed run out
5 9
paying for an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide to be taxes relating to the protection of the
saved elsewhere environment

Common mistakes
• We say absolutely vital, NOT very vital.
It’s absolutely vital that everyone plays their part in combating climate change.
• We say find a solution, NOT give a solution.
We need to find a solution to the problem of energy supplies.

66 English Collocations in Use Advanced

 Exercises

31.1 Read these remarks by different speakers, and then answer the questions.
Sylvia: We found that poisonous chemicals had been thrown into the river.
Tomas: We have to protect everyone from illnesses caused by environmental problems.
Marcos: We can collect glass and plastic from homes which can then be re-used.
Gerard: We are heading for a major disaster in terms of the pollution of the oceans.
Ulla: We must stop using this chemical. It can destroy plant and animal life.
1 Who mentions public health?
2 Who is complaining about people dumping toxic waste?
3 Who is talking about avoiding the use of something which is harmful to the environment?
4 Who is explaining about recycling household waste?
5 Who is sounding a warning about an environmental catastrophe?
31.2 Complete each sentence using a word from the opposite page.
1 We looked out to sea and spotted some wind farms.
2 Oil supplies are likely to dry within the next 200 years.
3 It’s absolutely that we all do something to reduce global warming.
4 As a green organisation we only use architects who specialise in design.
5 Continued use of fossil fuels will have consequences in the long term.
6 The airline has a scheme where you can your carbon emissions.
31.3 Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence using a collocation from the opposite
page based on the word in brackets.
1 How far our food travels before we consume it should be a concern for everyone. (mile)
2 Energy which comes from inexhaustible sources, such as wind, is our greatest hope for the
future. (renew)
3 The region has experienced flooding over large areas in recent years. (wide)
4 We have caused the world’s climate to alter in a way that cannot be changed back. (change)
5 We must do something to eliminate the problem of toxic waste. (solve)
6 We should all try to reduce the amount of carbon we emit. (foot)
7 Wind farms located out at sea can provide a partial solution to the problem. (shore)
8 The minister chairs a committee aiming to improve the way we get rid of rubbish from our
homes. (dispose)
31.4 Correct the collocation errors in these sentences.
1 Temperatures expanded during the summer months and reached a record high.
2 We must change our way before it is too late.
3 They now have a sun heating system in their house; it’s very economical.
4 The desert experiences soaring heat during the day but is cold at night.
5 The weather designs have changed in recent years: winters are milder, summers are hotter.
6 He has one of those mixed cars which alternates between petrol and battery power.
7 The government must present green taxes so people who damage the environment pay more.
8 Vehicle transmissions are the main source of pollution in big cities.
9 We need to find alternative energy origins for private homes.

Over to you
Go to the United Nations Environment Programme website at www.unep.org and
make a note of useful collocations you find there connected with the environment.

English Collocations in Use Advanced 67

33 Our endangered world
You probably already know a lot of words for talking about the environment, pollution, and so on. In
this unit we focus particularly on collocations (words that are often used together). Try to learn these
and use them in your writing.

A Threats and potential threats to the environment

Shrinking habitats1 are a threat to biodiversity2, in terms of both plants and animals, and
endangered species3 need legal protection if they are to survive. Although some climate change
sceptics4 disagree, most scientists believe that global warming5 will increase. This will encourage
polar ice to melt, resulting in rising sea levels and climatic changes. Carbon (dioxide) emissions6
from the burning of fossil fuels7 are contributing to the greenhouse effect8. In addition, population
growth exerts severe pressure on9 finite resources10, and the ecological balance11 may be upset
by uncontrolled deforestation12. Demographic projections13 suggest the world population will
continue to grow exponentially14, putting extra pressure on depleting resources15. Waste disposal16
is an increasing problem and toxic waste17 is contaminating18 many rivers and seas. Safe water may
become an increasingly precious commodity19, leading to issues of water security20. One of the
worst-case scenarios21 is that there will be no tropical rainforests left by the year 2050. Our only hope
is that pristine environments22 such as Antarctica can be protected from development and damage,
so that at least these habitats are preserved.

1 2
places where animals live and breed which are decreasing in size variety of different types of biological
3 4
species types of animals/plants which are in danger of no longer existing people who do not believe
5 6
that climate change is a serious issue steady rise in average world temperatures carbon dioxide gas
7 8
from factories, cars, etc. coal, oil, etc. warming of the Earth’s surface caused by pollution, where
9 10
gases trap and redirect heat back down to the Earth’s surface puts great pressure on; formal limited
11
resources that will eventually run out / be exhausted balance of natural relationships in the environment
12 13 14
unrestricted destruction/clearing of forests forecasts about the population grow extremely rapidly
15 16 17 18
resources that are reducing getting rid of waste poisonous waste materials poisoning
19 20
(something) very valuable substance ability to ensure that a population has safe drinking water
21 22
the worst possibilities for the future perfectly clean/untouched/unspoilt areas

B Responses to environmental issues and problems

Look at these newspaper headlines and note the useful phrases.

GOVERNING PARTY IN BID TO IMPROVE

GREEN CREDENTIALS1 PROPHETS OF DOOM AND GLOOM2 SHOULD LISTEN TO SCIENTIFIC
EVIDENCE, SAYS PRIME MINISTER

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT3 THE ONLY ANSWER FOR

EMERGING COUNTRIES, SAYS UN COMMISSION
RENEWABLE ENERGY4 – GOVERNMENT DEVELOPS
NEW STRATEGY

1
reputation for positive support of the environment and for making policies that reflect this
2
people who always make the most depressing or pessimistic predictions about the future
3
development of industry, etc. which does not damage the environment or social and economic stability, and
which can continue over a period of time
4
energy produced using sun, wind or crops rather than coal or other fuels which cannot be replaced once used

Common mistakes
People cause damage to the environment (NOT damages).

72 English Vocabulary in Use Advanced

 Exercises
33.1 Make these sentences formal by using words and phrases from A opposite instead of the
underlined words, making any other necessary changes.
1 All that carbon-what’s-it-called gas put out by cars and factories is a major problem.
2 These flowers here are a type there’s not many left of, so it’s illegal to pick them.
3 A lot of wild animals have to survive in smaller and smaller areas where they can live.
4 A lot of Patagonia is a completely spotless area that’s never been touched.
5 We have to look after the things we use on this planet because they won’t last for ever.
6 If the cutting down of trees continues, there will be no forest left ten years from now.
7 Burning coal and oil and stuff like that causes a lot of pollution.
8 The sea will get higher if this heating up of the world continues.
9 Increasing population puts really big pressure on economic resources.
10 The way things all balance one another in nature is very delicate.
33.2 Complete the following table, using a dictionary if necessary. Do not fill the shaded boxes.

noun verb adjective adverb

climate
demography
project
sustain
contaminate
toxic
deplete

33.3 Correct the mistakes in this paragraph.

Profits of boom and gloom are always saying that we are heading for
an environmental catastrophe, and that unless we adopt a policy of
attainable development, we will cause irreparable damages to the
planet. The worst-place scenery is of a world choked by overpopulation,
the greenhouse affect and traffic gridlock. Much of what is claimed is
exaggerated, but politicians are influenced by such voices and are always
trying to improve their green potentials in the eyes of the voters.

33.4 Match words on the left with words on the right

to make collocations about the environment.
1 renewable a scenario
2 demographic b sceptic
3 precious c effect
4 polar d energy
5 waste e projections
6 greenhouse f disposal
7 worst-case g commodity
8 climate change h ice

33.5 Over to you

To find more vocabulary connected with environment and conservation issues, visit the
websites of major conservation organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
(www.worldwildlife.org) or Friends of the Earth International (www.foei.org).

English Vocabulary in Use Advanced 73

58 Energy: from fossil fuels to windmills
A Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are sources of energy which were formed underground from plant and animal remains
millions of years ago.
Several new oil wells1 were constructed in the desert last year.
Offshore2 drilling platforms explore the ocean bed for oil and gas.
Older, coal-fired3 power stations generally cause high levels of pollution.
The coal mines4 in the north of the country are no longer profitable.
A new gas pipeline5 was built to bring cheaper energy to the capital city.
1
hole made in the ground for the removal of oil 4
deep hole or system of holes under the ground from
2
away from or at a distance from the coast which coal is removed
3
using coal as a fuel 5
very large tube through which liquid or gas can flow
for long distances

B Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy that can be produced again as quickly as it is used.
Onshore wind farms to get
1 2
new government subsidies
Tidal power6 and
wave power7 may
meet future energy
needs
Biomass5 not
Solar panels3 to the answer,
Hydroelectric4 power
be installed on all station to be closed down claims Energy
government buildings Minister
Government to focus on Three new nuclear9
renewables8, Minister power stations to be
announces built

Geothermal10 energy will last 1,000 years, says scientist

1
on the land (opp. = offshore) 2 group of wind turbines that
are used for producing electricity 3 devices that change energy
from the sun into electricity 4 producing electricity by the force
of fast-moving water such as rivers or waterfalls 5 dead plant
and animal material suitable for using as fuel 6 using the force
of the sea tide to produce energy 7 using the force of waves in
the sea to produce energy 8 note that renewable can also be
used as a countable noun 9 using the power produced when
the nucleus of an atom is divided or joined to another nucleus
10
using the heat inside the earth Common mistakes
C Using energy Take care with the spelling of
energy (NOT energie or energi).
What can ordinary citizens do to reduce energy consumption1?
Some simple things include using fewer power-hungry2
appliances3 around the home, monitoring4 your use of electricity and consuming5 less energy by
switching off unnecessary lights and entertainment systems that use power while on standby. Is your
car a gas-guzzler6? Think about changing to a more energy-efficient7 model. Think more about food
miles8 and buy local products, so that fuel consumption in the transporting of goods is reduced. We
can also reduce our carbon footprint9 by planning travel more carefully and cutting out unnecessary
journeys. Remember, the world’s coal, oil and gas deposits10 are finite11; one day they will run out, so
think now about what you can do to consume less.
1
how much is used of something using only a little electricity, gas, etc.
7

2
using a great amount of energy distance food is transported from where it is
8

3
equipment, especially electrical equipment, used in produced to when it reaches the consumer
the home, e.g. washing machines, fridges 9
measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide that
4
regularly watching and checking something over a your activities create
period of time 10
layer formed under the ground, especially over a
5
using (e.g. energy, time), especially in large amounts very long period
6
one that uses a lot of fuel; informal 11
having an end or lasting a limited time

122 English Vocabulary in Use Advanced

 Exercises
58.1 Choose words from the box to write labels for these pictures.
solar panels   ​
wind farm  ​pipeline   ​
offshore drilling platform   ​coal mine

1 2 3

4 5
58.2 Rewrite the underlined parts of the sentences using words from A and B opposite. Make
any other changes necessary.
1 A new 100-kilometre metal tube has been built to bring oil from the holes in the ground for
extracting oil in the north of the country to a refinery on the coast.
2 The power station is one that uses coal, but it will soon be replaced by a plant that uses atomic
science.
3 Fire has broken out on a drilling platform in the sea.
4 Power from the tide or from waves could solve the energy problems of countries with extensive
coastlines. Other parts of the world may be able to use energy from the heat inside the earth.
5 ‘Energy sources that can be renewed are important,’ the Prime Minister said. ‘We intend to
give grants for people to install devices that turn the heat of the sun into electricity, as well as
developing groups of turbines based on the land that use wind.’
6 The country is developing two main energy sources: the use of dead plant material and power
stations that use the force of rivers. At the same time, inefficient deep holes for extracting coal will
gradually be closed.
58.3 Complete the sentences with words from C opposite.
1 We should consider the issue of when shopping for fruit and vegetables and try to
buy local produce.
2 Most recent models of washing machines and other domestic use less power than
older comparable models and are quite - .
3 The company is trying to reduce its by allowing fewer foreign trips and encouraging
the use of video-conferencing.
4 This car is a real - . It has a very high fuel .
5 We’re our energy use at home and trying to less power.
6 The planet only contains a amount of oil and coal. One day the will
run out.

58.4 Over to you

Write a short composition of about 75–100 words on the present and future energy sources your
country uses now and is likely to develop in the future. Use words and expressions from this unit.

English Vocabulary in Use Advanced 123

24 Environmental problems
A The problems and their causes

A variety of environmental problems now affect our entire world. As globalisation1 continues,
local issues become international ones, so today there are few places in the world that do not suffer
from environmental problems. Some of the major problems now affecting the world are acid
rain2, air pollution3, global warming4, hazardous5 waste, ozone depletion6, smog7, water
pollution, overpopulation, and rainforest destruction8. People are also worried about the
greenhouse effect, where an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide [CO2] and other gases9
in the Earth’s atmosphere10 causes a gradual warming of the surface of the Earth. This global
warming is leading to the thawing of the polar ice caps11 and all this is causing concern
about climate change. Both human behaviour and climate change have led to many animal
and plant species12 becoming endangered13 or even extinct14.

1 increasing business, cultural and other contacts between countries 2 rain which contains harmful chemicals

as a result of burning substances such as oil and coal [acid = a type of liquid that reacts chemically with other
materials, sometimes dissolving them] 3 damage caused to the air by harmful substances or waste
4 rise in the world’s temperature 5 dangerous 6 reduction in the ozone layer [layer of air above the Earth
containing ozone which prevents harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching Earth]
7 air pollution found in cities caused by a mixture of smoke, gases and chemicals (the word has been formed

from smoke + fog) 8 destroying (cutting down) forest in a tropical area which receives a lot of rain
9 substance in a form that is neither solid nor liquid 10 the mixture of gases around the Earth
11 ice covering the areas at the North and South Poles 12 types 13 very few in number, at risk of

becoming extinct 14 not existing any longer

Language help
The prefix over- means too much. Overfishing means that people have fished so much that it is
having a serious effect on fish populations. Overpopulated means there are so many people
living in an area that life is difficult there.

B Dealing with the problems

Worldwide efforts are being made to improve the situation. Green parties and green or ecological
policies are mainly concerned with protecting the environment. Conservation organisations are
developing nature reserves where plants and animals are protected. Some farmers produce organic
food, which avoids the use of harmful chemicals. More companies try to behave in a way that is
environmentally friendly or ecologically sound. Societies attempt to dispose of waste in a more
responsible way, by, for example, recycling as much as possible. People aim to reduce their carbon
footprint by using cars less so that they cut down on their use of fossil fuels, for example.

C Word families
noun verb adjective adverb
globalisation globalise global globally
environment, environmentalist environmental environmentally
pollution, pollutant pollute polluting
destruction destroy destructive destructively
disposal dispose disposable
reduction reduce reduced

54 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises
24.1 Answer each question, using a word or expression from the box.
acid rain carbon dioxide endangered species extinct global warming
globalisation hazardous waste ozone layer polar ice caps destruction of rainforests
smog water pollution

1 What happened to dinosaurs about 65 million years ago? They became extinct.
2 What is the name for a special layer in the Earth’s atmosphere which helps protect our planet?
3 What word can be used to describe the increasing contact between countries that has a major
impact on life today?
4 What causes problems because it is difficult to dispose of safely?
5 What have scientists shown to be melting worryingly fast at the North and South Poles?
6 What does the chemical symbol CO2 represent?
7 What has been happening in the Amazon area and in other tropical areas like Indonesia and
Malaysia?
8 What problem is a type of air pollution?
9 What can cause harm to plant or other life when it falls on the land or sea?
10 What is the Siberian tiger an example of?
11 What has caused much plant and animal life in rivers in industrial areas to die out?
12 What is the term for the phenomenon describing the rise in the Earth’s average temperature?

24.2 Match words to form compound nouns.

1 acid fuel acid rain 6 greenhouse disposal
2 carbon change 7 nature reserve
3 climate party 8 organic depletion
4 fossil footprint 9 ozone effect
5 green rain 10 waste food

24.3 Choose a word from the opposite page to complete each sentence.
1 An environmentalist is a person who does what they can to help protect the environment.
2 items like plastic cups and paper plates are labour-saving but have a harmful effect on
the environment.
3 The government says it is aiming for a significant in this country’s use of fossil fuels over
the next ten years.
4 The company plans to part of a nature reserve in order to build its new warehouses.
5 Carbon monoxide (CO) is an example of an air .
6 The melting of the polar ice caps will have a impact on the environment.
7 Staff can of all recyclable items in these green bins.
8 Air pollution may the lives of people with respiratory illnesses.
9 This company is proud of its friendly policies.

24.4 Over to you

Answer these questions.
1 Which of the environmental problems in A exist in your country?
2 Do you think climate change is having any impact in your country?
3 How much support do green parties have in your country?
4 What could power cars instead of petrol or diesel?
5 Suggest three things people can do to reduce their carbon footprint.

English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate 55

 Topic Vocabulady
©NME ______________
^ ____
1 The Environment
2 Damage to the Environment
3 Things That Damage the Environment
4 Things That Are Good for the
Environment
5 Clean Power or Energy
6 People Who Protect the Environment
1 The Environment
the environment noun
. the natural world, including water, air, land,
plants, and sometimes animals, that can be
harmed by the way humans live: Chemicals from
the factory are dangerous to the environment. I
What effect will the dam have on the
environment?
ecology noun
the relationship between the environment and
all the plants, animals, and people living there:
The oil spill could affect the ecology o f the
seashore.
ecosystem noun
all the plants and animals in a place, that are all
connected with each other and affect each
other: The decrease In the number of birds Is
affecting the island’s ecosystem.
habitat noun
the place in which a plant or animal lives: The
jungle is the tiger's natural habitat
biome noun
a type of environment that has a particular type
of weather, and particular types of plants: The
snake is found only in desert biomes.
biodiversity noun
all the different types of plants and animals in a
particular place: Cutting down forests and
planting single crops like corn have greatly reduced
biodiversity.
food chain noun
a system of plants and animals in an area, in
which a plant is eaten by an insect or other
animal, which is then eaten by a larger animal,
and so on: If one part of the food chain is harmed,
it affects every other part of the chain.
food web noun
all the food chains in an area that are connected
with each other: The living things in the ocean
form a food web.
2 Damage to the Environment
global warming noun
an increase in world temperatures, caused by an
801
increase of carbon dioxide, and other gases,
around the Earth: Because of global warming, sea
levels will rise as the ice caps melt
climate change noun
changes in the weather across large areas of the
Earth as the Earth gets warmer: Farmers may
eventually have to plant different crops as a result
of climate change.
greenhouse effect noun
the process by which the air around the Earth is
slowly getting warmer because gases like
carbon dioxide stop the heat from escaping:
Burning coal and oil over the past 200 years has
greatly increased the greenhouse effect.
ozone layer noun
the layer of gases around the Earth that stops a
type of heat from the sun from harming the
Earth. Chemicals that people use cause the
ozone layer to become thinner so that more
harmful heat from the sun reaches the Earth: If
the ozone layer keeps getting thinner, more people
will probably get skin cancer.
ice cap also polar ice cap noun
an area of thick ice that permanently covers the
North and South Poles. As the Earth becomes
warmer, the ice caps will melt and raise the
levels of the oceans: Melting ice caps could mean
that some Island countries would be completely
flooded.
deforestation noun
the process of cutting down too many trees in
. an area so that the environment is badly
damaged: Deforestation In the rain forest has
destroyed the homes of many animal species.
erosion (awl) noun
the gradual destruction of land by the weather
or by water: Erosion on the hills is worse where
too many trees have been cut down.
endangered species noun phrase
a type of animal or plant that soon might not
exist anymore because there are very few left: If
the wetlands are destroyed, the endangered
species that live there will disappear forever.
extinct adjective
a plant or animal that is extinct no longer exists:
The tigers could become extinct if the forests they
live in are not protected.
3 Things That Damage the Environment
pollution noun
substances that make air, water, or soil dirty and
dangerous to people or other living things: They
tested the level of water pollution In local rivers.
 Topic Vocabulady
-3> You can use pollute as a verb: The factory
pollutes the air and water. Polluted is the
adjective: The river is polluted and lots offish have
died.
smog noun
dirty air caused by smoke from cars and
factories in cities: The city is covered in smog for
much of the year.
greenhouse gas noun
a type of gas that traps heat above the Earth
and causes the air around the Earth to gradually
warm up. Greenhouse gases cause the
greenhouse effect: Greenhouse gases are
produced by factories and vehicles.
fossil fuel noun
a substance such as coal, gas, or oil that can be
burned for energy. Fossil fuels are formed from
plants and animals that died millions of years
ago. Burning these fuels can pollute the air and
produce carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse
gas: We should reduce our use of fossil fuels and
find cleaner sources of energy.
~ recycle verb
carbon emissions noun
carbon dioxide that is put in the air when fossil
fuels are burned: As the number of cars and
factories have increased, so have carbon emissions.
carbon footprint noun
the amount of carbon dioxide that a person or
organization produces by the things they do.
5 Clean Power or Energy
Someone's carbon footprint is a measurement
of the harm he or she does to the environment:
You can reduce your carbon footprint by driving
your car less.
acid rain noun
rain that contains harmful chemicals that can
damage the environment. Acid rain is caused by
chemicals in the air, for example from cars and
factories: The reason the trees were dying was
acid rain.
toxic waste also hazardous waste noun
waste products such as chemicals that are
harmful to people, animals, or the environment:
Toxic waste from the factory ended up in the river
and killed the fish.
4 Things That Are Good for the
Environment
conservation noun
the activity of protecting wild plants and
animals: Forest conservation protects the habitat
of the brown bear and many other species.
802
environmentally friendly adjective
not harmful to the environment: Is there such a
thing as an environmentally friendly car?
green adjective :
green methods and products are intended not to
cause damage to the environment: Green i
cleaning products often work as well as harmful
chemicals.
clean adjective
clean fuels or forms of energy do not put
harmful substances in the air: We should use
more clean energy sources like solar power.
organic adjective
organic food is grown or produced naturally,
without using chemicals: The restaurant uses only
organic meat and vegetables.
sustainable [awl] adjective
a sustainable method of doing something can
continue for a long time, because it does not
cause damage to the environment or use up all
of the resources: Sustainable farming methods
keep the soil healthy.
to put used newspapers, bottles, cans, etc, ;
through a process so that they can be used
again for making new things: We collect and
recycle empty bottles and cans.
Recycling is the noun: The city has increased
the amount of recycling it does.
solar/wind/wave power also solar/wind/
wave energy noun
energy that is taken from the sun, wind, or
ocean and turned into electricity: If we use more
wind power, we could use less oil that comes from
foreign countries.
wind turbine noun
a very large structure with parts that turn
around in the wind, used for producing
electricity: The wind turbines in the desert turn the
high winds into electricity.
wind farm noun
a place where a lot of wind turbines have been
built in order to produce electricity: We can
expect to see more wind farms in windy areas
across the plains.
solar panel noun
a piece of equipment, usually put on a roof, that
collects and uses the sun's energy to heat water
or make electricity: The solar panels on the roof
provide all the electricity the family needs.
biofuel noun
a substance made from plants or animal waste
that can be used to produce heat or power: Corn
 Topic Vocabulady
is being used to make biofuels, but biofuels still
take energy to produce, and release carbon when
they are burned,
alternative (aw l ) adjective
alternative forms of energy are ones that are
used instead of fossil fuels, because they do less
damage to the environment: Wind and solar
power are two common types o f alternative
energy:
renewable adjective
renewable energy com es from things like the
wind or the sun, and you will always be able to
get more of it because it continues to be
produced all the time: The building is heated
using renewable energy from the sun.
6 People W ho Protect the Environment
environmentalist (aw l ) noun
someone who is concerned about protecting the
environment: A s an environmentalist, Maria has
worked hard to clean up the parks in her area.
environmental group noun
an organization that works to protect the
environment: Environmental groups are asking the
government for stricter rules on pollution.
conservationist noun
someone who works to protect and manage
natural resources such as water, forests, and
land: Conservationists believe the dam would harm
local wildlife.
803