It’s likely that during an exam you have a listening, reading, speaking or writing task that is about nature. You might be asked your opinions on the environmental problems we face nowadays, possible solutions to these problems, as well as the future of our planet.
It’s a good idea, therefore, to learn words and phrases that could come useful when discussing this topic. After all, the richer your vocabulary is, the better fluency you’ll have.
We’ll begin with the most relevant matter concerning our environment today:
climate change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate, which involve global warming. It is directly tied to
fossil fuels - things like coal, oil and gas. these are non-renewable and their burning results in
carbon emissions - gases containing carbon which are released into the atmosphere.
carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a person or activity. The more carbon emissions one has, the bigger the carbon footprint. People who care about nature do things than can reduce their carbon footprint.
Another outcome of burning fossil fuels is air pollution, which means having harmful substances in the air. This results in lung diseases and bad quality of life.
industrial waste is a big contributor to carbon emissions and air pollution. This is the waste produced by factories. It also includes harmful chemicals. When such waste enters the rivers and soil, it causes problems for the environment.
When we want to have more production and places to live, we often have to destroy green spaces to build them. This results in urbanization - the growth of cities and spread of urban areas. Urbanization comes with problems for the local wildlife.
wildlife is what we call all animals living in their natural environment.
natural habitat is where plants and wildlife typically exist. Unfortunately, more and more animals lose their habitat, which leads to their death.
If all animals or plants that belong to a species die out, it becomes an extinct species. For example, the Dodo bird.
endangered species are those at risk of disappearing. Their numbers are few, but they can still be saved from extinction. For example, pandas.
poaching is another factor in species becoming endangered or extinct. This is the illegal hunting of wildlife.
deforestation is the process of cutting down large areas of forests. It’s also a factor in the loss of natural habitat for animal and plant species.
desertification is the process of land becoming dry and less fertile, resulting in deserts. It is another culprit in losing natural habitat and species, and is connected to climate change.
Let’s look at things that we can do to
protect the environment, meaning to prevent damage to nature.
We can use environmentally friendly or eco-friendly products which means they cause little harm to the environment. We can also strive to live more eco-friendly lives by doing the three R-s: reduce, recycle, reuse.
reduce waste means to produce less rubbish. This is of course important for individuals, but even more vital for corporations. Companies, manufacturers, and retailers must also take action to limit waste.
Recycle means to process something so it can be used again by turning trash into material. Countries nowadays benefit greatly from good recycling programs and strict laws about garbage disposal.
The final R stands for reuse – meaning to use something again. A lot of things can be used multiple times or repurposed.
We can also try to be more energy-saving, meaning to use energy more efficiently. This is good for our pockets as well. For example, insulating well your home and using solar panels can save you money off your heating and energy bills.
Other things we can do to
preserve or conserve our nature and protect it is to inform people about these problems and actions we can take to solve them.
That’s what raise awareness means - make people understand that a problem exists. A lot of people don’t believe in global warming, for example, but
the rising of sea levels is already obvious. Oceans are becoming higher because of the polar ice melting. Soon a lot of big cities around the world might be under water. Some places like the Maldives are slowly disappearing, so people are becoming displaced and have to find new homes.
We need to protect our natural resources – all the materials and things provided by nature, especially non-renewable ones.
Renewable energy from sources that replenish is something that people have to work on and develop, since non-renewable sources will disappear one day. It also has the potential to be cleaner and cheaper.
All in all, it’s good to live sustainably, meaning to live in a way that reduces your negative impact on the environment and uses resources responsibly. If everyone does their part – individuals, and corporations, the world will be a better place.
Now, here are some particularly useful B2 expressions for discussing this topic, with examples.
have an impact on… Using renewable energy can have a positive impact on the environment
pose a threat to… Plastic waste poses a serious threat to marine life.
take action (against) Governments need to take action to reduce air pollution.
take steps to reduce… Companies should take steps to reduce plastic waste.
deal with (environmental problems) Cities need to deal with garbage disposal more efficiently.
make a difference Small changes in our daily habits can make a difference.
be responsible (for…) Factories are responsible for a large amount of air pollution.
Practise talking to yourself about this topic by using such expressions. It will enrich your vocabulary, boost your confidence, and improve your fluency.
Until next time!
