Environmental problems

• English
• University

Environmental problems

Many people believe that the way we live our lives today is having an extremely bad effect on the environment. Here are some examples of solutions and the vocabulary we need to talk about them.

ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF TRANSPORT

One of the main problems with cars is that they cause a lot of pollution and often carry only one person. Public transport is more environmentally friendly because buses and trains carry large numbers of people at the same time. Carpools are another way of reducing a number of cars on the roads. Even cleaner solutions are electric cars and bicycles

to carry

reduce

carpool

environmentally friendly

to cause

to make something happen or bring about a change

sharing a car with other people to go to the same place

not harmful to the natural world 

to hold smth and move it from one place to another

to make smth smaller in amount, size, or number

RECYCLING

Recycling is when you use something again instead of throwing it away. Glass, cans, paper and plastic can all be recycled. Recycling saves energy and also reduces damage to the countryside. Many towns have special bins where people can leave their empty bottles and cans for recycling. A lot of paper bags, writing paper and greeting cards are now produced on recycled paper. Even more effective than recycling is choosing products that use a minimum of plastic and paper packaging.

throw away

a can

a bin

a damage

harm or injury that makes smth less good or useful

a metal container that holds food or drink

to get rid of smth you don't want anymore

a box or container for putting waste or rubbish in

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Many countries now are choosing to use renewable sources for their energy needs. Solar energy from the sun, wind power from turbines, hydroelectric energy from rivers and sea water do not pollute the environment. They are much cleaner than oil and coal. Countries like Iceland and Costa Rica are leading the way, with Iceland getting 100% of its energy from these renewable sources.

lead the way

renewable

coal

a need

smth that is very important for a person to have or do

to show others how to go or what to do

smth that can be made again or replaced naturally

a black rock that people burn to make energy

RECYCLING

Recycling is when you use something again instead of throwing it away. Glass, cans, paper and plastic can all be recycled. Recycling saves energy and also reduces damage to the countryside. Many towns have special bins where people can leave their empty bottles and cans for recycling. A lot of paper bags, writing paper and greeting cards are now produced on recycled paper. Even more effective than recycling is choosing products that use a minimum of plastic and paper packaging.