Environment and Climate

the natural world, including the air, water, land, plants and animals

“Researchers are studying how transport affects the environment.”

• protect the environment
• environmental damage
• natural environment

Word family: environmental, environmentally

Environmental is the adjective form, as in environmental problems.

the usual weather conditions of a place over a long period

“The region has a dry climate with very little rainfall.”

• climate change
• climate conditions
• local climate

Word family: climatic

Climate describes long-term patterns; weather describes conditions at a particular time.

a gas or other substance released into the air

“The city plans to reduce emissions from road traffic.”

• carbon emissions
• reduce emissions
• vehicle emissions

Word family: emit, emission

The plural emissions is common when discussing pollution and greenhouse gases.

harmful substances or waste that damage the environment

“Air pollution can affect people's health, especially in busy cities.”

• air pollution
• water pollution
• reduce pollution

Word family: pollute, polluted, pollutant

Pollution is usually uncountable; a pollutant is a substance that causes pollution.

something useful that people can use, such as water, energy or materials

“Fresh water is a limited resource in some regions.”

• natural resources
• limited resources
• use resources

Word family: resourceful, resourcefully

Resources is often plural when referring to materials or supplies available for use.

to protect something or use it carefully so that it is not lost or wasted

“Households can conserve water by repairing leaking taps.”

• conserve energy
• conserve water
• conserve wildlife

Word family: conservation, conservative

Conserve often means to protect natural resources or avoid unnecessary use.

to use fuel, energy, food or other resources

“Older buildings may consume more energy than well-insulated ones.”

• consume energy
• consume resources
• consume less fuel

Word family: consumer, consumption

Consumption is the noun form used for the amount of something that is used.

able to continue over time without causing serious harm or using up resources

“The council is looking for sustainable ways to manage waste.”

• sustainable development
• sustainable transport
• sustainable solution

Word family: sustain, sustainability, sustainably

Sustainable often describes practices that can continue over the long term.

a strong effect or influence on something

“Drought can have a serious impact on food production.”

• environmental impact
• have an impact on
• impact on wildlife

Word family: impactful

A common pattern is have an impact on something.

to influence or change someone or something

“Higher temperatures can affect the growth of some crops.”

• affect health
• affect wildlife
• be badly affected

Word family: effect, effective, effectively

Affect is usually a verb; effect is usually a noun.

a decrease in amount, quality or importance; to decrease

“Scientists have reported a decline in the number of some insect species.”

• a sharp decline
• decline in numbers
• decline rapidly

Word family: declining

A decline in something means that it becomes lower or less common.

to become or make something greater in number, amount or level

“The report recorded an increase in average summer temperatures.”

• increase in temperature
• increase significantly
• a steady increase

Word family: increasing, increasingly

Use an increase in + noun to describe what has become greater.

to help cause or produce a result

“Heavy traffic can contribute to poor air quality.”

• contribute to pollution
• contribute to climate change
• contribute to a problem

Word family: contribution, contributor

Use to after contribute in this meaning.

to cause or produce a particular result

“A long period without rain can result in water shortages.”

• result in damage
• result in a decline
• result in water shortages

Word family: result

Result in means cause; result from means be caused by.

to make something smaller or lower in amount, size or level

“Using public transport can reduce the number of cars on the road.”

• reduce waste
• reduce emissions
• reduce energy use

Word family: reduction, reduced

Reduce is often followed by a noun describing what becomes lower or smaller.

to stop something from happening

“Better planning can help prevent damage during floods.”

• prevent damage
• prevent pollution
• prevent the loss of

Word family: prevention, preventive

Common pattern: prevent something or prevent something from happening.

facts or information that help show whether something is true

“The researchers collected evidence about changes in local rainfall.”

• strong evidence
• evidence suggests
• collect evidence

Word family: evident, evidently

Evidence is normally uncountable in academic English; say a piece of evidence, not an evidence.

to show or suggest that something is true or likely

“The measurements indicate that water levels have fallen.”

• results indicate
• data indicate
• indicate a change

Word family: indication, indicative

Indicate is common when describing what data, results or signs show.

important, noticeable or large enough to matter

“The report found a significant reduction in household water use.”

• significant change
• significant reduction
• significant impact

Word family: significance, significantly

In statistics, statistically significant has a specific technical meaning.

a way to solve a problem or deal with a difficult situation

“Improving public transport is one possible solution to traffic pollution.”

• possible solution
• find a solution
• long-term solution

Word family: solve, solvable

Common pattern: a solution to a problem.