important environment issues · 2019-08-27 · • prevention of radioactive pollution –...

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Important environment issues, natural environmental disasters and other environment vocabulary.

acid rain

rain which contains large amounts of harmful chemicals as a result of burning substances such as coal and oil.

biodegradable

able to decay naturally and harmlessly.

Biodegradable packaging helps to limit the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere.

biodiversity

the number and variety of plant and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area or in the world generally, or the problem of preserving

and protecting this.

a new National Biological Survey to protect species habitat and biodiversity.

carbon monoxide

the poisonous gas formed by the burning of carbon, especially in the form of car fuel.

carbon dioxide

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the gas formed when carbon is burned, or when people or animals breathe out.

climate

the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place.

The Mediterranean climate is good for growing citrus fruits and grapes.

climate change

there has been a growing concern about climate change.

deforestation

the cutting down of trees in a large area; the destruction of forests by people.

Deforestation is destroying large areas of tropical rain forest.

Desertification

the process by which land changes into desert.

disposable products

describes an item that is intended to be thrown away after use.

disposable nappies

drought

a long period when there is little or no rain.

This year (a) severe drought has ruined the crops.

earthquake

a sudden violent movement of the Earth's surface, sometimes causing great damage.

endangered species

endangered birds/plants/species animals or plants which may soon not exist because there are very few now alive.

energy

the power from something such as electricity or oil, which can do work, such as providing light and heat. There are different types of energy: solar, nuclear,

hydroelectric...

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The energy generated by the windmill drives all the drainage pumps.

energy conservation

the process of conserving energy

environment

the air, water and land in or on which people, animals and plants live.

Certain chemicals have been banned because of their damaging effect on the environment.

extinction

Many species of plants and animals are in danger of/threatened with extinction (= being destroyed so that they no longer exist)

flood

a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry.

fumes

strong, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous gas or smoke.

Petrol fumes always make me feel ill.

natural resources

things such as minerals, forests, coal, etc. which exist in a place and can be used by people.

Some natural resources, such as natural gas and fossil fuel, cannot be

replaced.

global warming

a gradual increase in world temperatures caused by polluting gases such as carbon dioxide which are collecting in the air around the Earth and

preventing heat escaping into space.

greenhouse effect

an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere which is believed to be the cause of a gradual warming of the

surface of the Earth.

green peace

an organization that fights for the protection of the environment.

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renewable energy

describes a form of energy that can be produced as quickly as it is used.

renewable energy sources such as wind and wave power

oil slick

a layer of oil that is floating over a large area of the surface of the sea, usually because an accident has caused it to escape from a ship or container.

ozone layer

a layer of air high above the Earth, which contains a lot of ozone, and which prevents harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching the Earth.

Scientists believe that there is a hole in the ozone layer.

pollution

damage caused to water, air.... by harmful substances or waste.

recycle waste to collect and treat rubbish to produce useful materials which can be used

again.

sustainable development

a development that is causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.

A large international meeting was held with the aim of promoting sustainable development in all countries.

tsunami

an extremely large wave caused by movement of the earth under the sea, often caused by an earthquake (= when the Earth shakes)

unleaded petrol

describes a type of petrol or other substance that does not contain lead.

use up natural resources

The degradation of natural resources because of human pressure

volcano

a mountain with a large circular hole at the top through which lava (= hot liquid rock), gases, steam and dust are or have been forced out.

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Erupting volcanoes discharge massive quantities of dust into the stratosphere.

waste

unwanted matter or material of any type, often that which is left after useful substances or parts have been removed.

Other related vocabulary: rubbish, garbage, trash.

Vocabulary related to sustainable development which may apply to the environment and pollution

Development:

The process of growing or developing. Synonymous words include: evolution, progress, advance.

These nouns mean a progression from a simpler or lower to a more advanced, mature, or complex form or stage:

"the development of an idea into reality;" "the evolution of a plant from a seed;" "attempts made to foster social progress."

Sustainable:

(of economic development or energy sources) capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing ecological

damage

Sustainable development:

A pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. It's a development that "meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Environment:

The surroundings in which a person, animal, or plant lives. The natural world of land, sea, air, plants, and animals.

"Nuclear waste must be prevented from leaking into the environment"

Ecology:

The scientific study of the distribution and abundance of life and the interactions between organisms and their natural environment.

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Resource:

Any physical or virtual entity of limited availability, or anything used to help one earn a living. As resources are very useful, we attach some information

value to them. Resources help to produce goods so they have economic value. Natural resources like forests, mountains etc. are very beautiful so they have

aesthetic value. Gifts of nature such as water also have a legal value because it is our right to enjoy them. On the other hand, resources have an ethical value

as well because it is our moral duty to protect and conserve them for the future generations.

Natural resources:

Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival while others are used for satisfying our wants.

Resource development:

Many resources cannot be consumed in their original form. They have to be processed in order to change them into more usable commodities. This is

known as resource development. With the rise in human numbers all over the world, the demand for resources has also increased. However, there is a

difference in distribution of resources to different regions or countries. Developed countries use more resources than developing countries.

Desertification:

Desertification is the degradation of land in arid and dry sub-humid areas, resulting primarily from human activities and influenced by climatic

variations. It's also a failure of the ecological succession process.

Deforestation:

Deforestation is the conversion of (forest)ed areas to non-forested land, for uses such as: pasture, urban use, logging purposes, and can result in arid land

and wastelands. In many countries, deforestation is ongoing and is shaping climate and geography. Deforestation results from removal of trees without sufficient reforestation, and results in declines in habitat and biodiversity,

wood for fuel and industrial use, and quality of life.

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Key Essay Points

Pollution

• Types – Air, Noise, Water, Soil and Radioactive Pollution.

• Contamination of the environment linked to some fatal diseases. Makes living environment for animals toxic and is affecting regional biodiversity.

• Exclusively caused by human activities and has a negative effect on the ecosystem – Ozone depletion, global warming, greenhouse effect, melting of glaciers.

• Air pollution primary causes include – Industrial and domestic activity, Fossil fuels used in power plants, industries, transportation, mining, construction of buildings.

• Air Pollution causes Respiratory issues – allergies, asthma, nasal irritation and infections, eye irritation, decreased visibility that could lead to major accidents, poor air quality, ozone layer depletion thereby increasing UV radiation.

• Prevention of Air pollution – Better designed equipment(such as catalytic converters in cars that convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide), Nonpolluting sources of energy like solar or wind energy, Planting more trees, regulations to control activities that cause air pollution.

• Noise Pollution – outdoor sources include automobiles, rail traffic, airplanes, Internal sources include radios, generators, electric fans, air conditioners.

• Noise pollution affects health – high blood pressure due to irritation, loss of temper, decrease in work efficiency, loss of hearing.

• Prevention of Noise Pollution – better design and proper maintenance of vehicles, sound proofing equipment, regulations to control noise pollution, planting trees as they are an effective noise absorber.

• Water Pollution – Caused by industrial activities producing toxic waste, agriculture due to excess fertilizers and pesticides(leaching of minerals), Sewage water with human waste.

• Water Pollution causes death of aquatic plants, endangers marine life even at ocean depths, Acid rains crates toxic environment for marine life.

• Prevention of Water Pollution – Water requirements should be minimized by altering techniques especially in industrial processes,

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Water should be treated to be reused and recycled, regulations to minimize quantities of waste water, Desalination plants set up to harness water from the oceans.

• Soil Pollution Sources – man-made chemicals, collection of contaminated water, oil and fuel dumping from industries, discharge of industrial wastes into the soil like petroleum, solvents, pesticides, lead and heavy metals.

• Soil Pollution affects the fertility of the soil and therefore the growth of plants, toxic insects and animals that dwell in/under the soil that contribute to soil quality.

• Prevention of Soil Pollution – Fertilizers and Pesticides used in moderation, Stop plastic bag use as it is not biodegradable, Sewage should be treated before dumping in landfills, Biomedical waste should be disposed of appropriately in incinerators.

• Radioactive Pollution – caused by materials able to emit radiation(alpha/gamma/beta), Can be due to natural or man-made resources, Natural sources are like back ground radiation(cosmic rays from space and elements like radium, uranium, potassium and carbon in the rocks, soil and water), Man-made include refining of plutonium and thorium, Production and use of Nuclear Weapons or Nuclear Power Plants, Use of Radioactive substance for medical purposes.

• Radioactive Pollution causes skin irritation, skin cancer, hair loss when exposure is low, high exposure causes acute toxicity and death.

• Prevention of Radioactive Pollution – Regulating leaks from nuclear reactors, industries and laboratories, Safe operating practices for power plants, Protective garments and building design.

• Government action and Heightened awareness of every individual can mitigate Environmental pollution.

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Key Essay Points

Deforestation

• “The earth is enough for our need but not our Greed”, Gandhi.

• Forests are the lungs of an ecosystem( the Amazon forest supplies 20% of the earth’s oxygen), Forest contribute 3/4th of the organic compounds and home to 80% of earth’s plant biomass.

• Causes – Agriculture is the primary cause, increasing population, non-availability of space to accommodate increase in human population, subsistent agriculture(farming for own consumption is responsible for 48% of forest destruction – by tribal communities), commercial agriculture for 32% of forest destruction, Logging is responsible for 14% of forest destruction, Rapid urbanization and industrialization, commercial use of products such as furniture, stationary, sports equipment. e.g. 2019 Amazon Fire

• Effects of Deforestation – Global Warming leading to Climate change, Reduced vegetation leads to less evapotranspiration affecting rainfall and ground water and thus The water cycle, Acidification of Oceans which is toxic to marine life, Removal of top layer of fertile soil, landslides as the roots of trees support the soil, affects biodiversity, extinction of species that rely on forest cover(destruction of habitat).

• Prevention – Government initiatives to promote afforestation, Regulation and Laws, Social initiatives, community involvement.

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Key Essay Points

Drought

• Drought is a condition where a region receives below average rainfall/precipitation which results in prolonged shortage of water or rainfall received could be normal but with wide gaps affecting humans, agriculture, livestock and industries.

• Causes – Increase in population, uncontrolled development of industries, water wastage, over-irrigation, over-exploitation of available water resources.

• Affects – Impact on crops and food security, environmental impact, impact on tourism, impacts the growth of the country hence hindering economic progress, shortage of employment of people in affected areas leading to mass migration, famine, starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, conflict, crime and tension among communities, food for livestock is affected thereby affecting meat and dairy production.

• Prevention – Regulations and Laws to control human induced reasons for drought, Proper mapping and assessment of ground water

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resources, monitoring the depletion of ground water, rainwater harvesting, storage dams, water recycling, controlling irrigation, planting less water intensive crops like pules in areas prone to drought, cloud seeding to induce rain

important environment issues · 2019-08-27 · • prevention of radioactive pollution –...

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