Ecosystem – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
The Amazon Rainforest is an example of a diverse ecosystem.
Biodiversity – The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, often considered to be important and desirable.
Conservation efforts are crucial in maintaining biodiversity.
Sustainability – Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
Using renewable energy sources plays a key role in sustainability.
Climate Change – A change in global or regional climate patterns, particularly a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.
Climate change is leading to more frequent and severe weather events.
Renewable Energy – Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
Solar panels are an effective way to harness renewable energy from the sun.
Conservation – The action of conserving something, in particular preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment and wildlife.
Wildlife conservation efforts are essential to protect endangered species.
Carbon Footprint – The amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.
Reducing our carbon footprint can be achieved by minimizing energy use and waste.
Deforestation – The action of clearing a wide area of trees.
Deforestation in tropical areas is a major environmental concern.
Recycling – The action or process of converting waste into reusable material.
Recycling paper and plastics can significantly reduce waste.
Greenhouse Gases – Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, which can contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide is one of the primary greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
Organic – Relating to or derived from living matter; (of food or farming methods) produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals.
Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation.
Ecological Footprint – The impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.
Everyone can work to reduce their ecological footprint by making more sustainable choices.
Non-renewable Resources – A natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a quick enough pace to keep up with consumption.
Fossil fuels are an example of non-renewable resources that are depleting rapidly.
Endangered Species – A species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction.
The giant panda is one of the many endangered species needing urgent conservation efforts.
Biodegradable – Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.
Using biodegradable packaging can help reduce waste in our landfills.
Afforestation – The process of planting large numbers of trees on land that has not recently been forested.
Afforestation can help counteract the effects of deforestation and climate change.
Composting – The process of recycling decomposed organic material into a rich soil known as compost.
Composting food scraps and yard waste can enrich the soil and reduce methane emissions from landfills.
Global Warming – The gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, CFCs, and other pollutants.
Global warming has become a critical issue that requires immediate attention.
Ecology – The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Studying ecology helps us understand how human activities impact natural ecosystems.
Zero Waste – A philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused, with no trash sent to landfills or incinerators.
Adopting a zero waste lifestyle can significantly reduce environmental impact.
Carbon Neutral – Making or resulting in no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, especially through offsetting emissions by planting trees.
Many companies are now striving to become carbon neutral to combat climate change.
Ozone Layer – A layer in the earth’s stratosphere containing a high concentration of ozone, which absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth from the sun.
The depletion of the ozone layer increases the risk of skin cancer.
Environmental Impact – The effect that the activities of people and businesses have on the environment.
Environmental impact assessments are crucial before starting new large-scale projects.
