IELTS vocabulary
IELTS environment vocabulary
Words for climate, pollution, energy and conservation, one of the most frequent Task 2 essay topics.
Each entry has the typical band it's useful for, a plain meaning, an example sentence and the words it most often goes with. Learn the collocations along with the word: that's what makes vocabulary sound natural.
Band 6 words
air quality noun phrase · academic
How clean or polluted the air is.
Planting more trees may improve air quality, although it cannot replace measures to reduce traffic emissions.
Collocations: improve air quality · poor air quality · air quality levels
climate change noun phrase · academic
Long-term changes in the Earth's temperatures and weather patterns.
Climate change is making some extreme weather events more frequent and severe.
Collocations: tackle climate change · the effects of climate change · climate change policy
compost noun
Decayed organic material used to improve the quality of soil.
Residents can turn food scraps into compost for gardens and community green spaces.
Collocations: make compost · garden compost · compost bin
disposable adjective
Designed to be used once or briefly and then thrown away.
Disposable cups are convenient, but they create unnecessary waste at large events.
Collocations: disposable products · disposable cups · disposable packaging
environmentalist noun
A person who works to protect the natural world.
An environmentalist may campaign for stricter controls on industrial pollution.
Collocations: environmentalist group · environmentalist campaign · environmentalist movement
fertiliser noun
A substance added to soil to help plants grow.
Excessive use of fertiliser can pollute rivers and damage aquatic ecosystems.
Collocations: apply fertiliser · organic fertiliser · fertiliser runoff
flood noun
A large amount of water covering land that is usually dry.
Better drainage systems could reduce the damage caused by a sudden flood.
Collocations: flash flood · risk of flood · flood damage
fossil fuel noun phrase · academic
A fuel such as coal, oil or gas formed from ancient plant and animal matter.
Many countries still rely on fossil fuel to meet their energy needs.
Collocations: burn fossil fuel · depend on fossil fuel · fossil fuel consumption
global warming noun phrase · academic
The long-term rise in the Earth's average temperature, mainly caused by human activity.
Global warming could threaten food supplies if rising temperatures reduce crop yields.
Collocations: the causes of global warming · limit global warming · global warming effects
habitat noun · academic
The natural environment where a plant or animal lives.
Road construction can destroy the habitat of species that depend on undisturbed forests.
Collocations: natural habitat · habitat loss · protect a habitat
landfill noun
A place where rubbish is buried, often in large quantities.
Reducing household waste would help prevent valuable materials from ending up in landfill.
Collocations: landfill site · landfill waste · send waste to landfill
national park noun phrase
A large natural area protected by the government for its wildlife and scenery.
A national park can attract visitors while conserving important ecosystems.
Collocations: create a national park · national park visitor · national park protection
natural resources noun phrase · academic
Useful materials and substances that occur naturally, such as water, forests and minerals.
Countries should manage natural resources carefully to ensure they remain available for future generations.
Collocations: manage natural resources · protect natural resources · use natural resources
pollution noun
Harmful substances or waste that damage the air, water or land.
Reducing air pollution should be a priority in densely populated cities.
Collocations: air pollution · reduce pollution · pollution levels
preserve verb · formal
To protect something and keep it in its original or existing condition.
Strict planning rules can help preserve forests and the wildlife that depends on them.
Collocations: preserve biodiversity · preserve natural habitats · preserve the environment
rainforest noun
A dense forest in a warm region with very high annual rainfall.
Protecting the rainforest is essential because it stores carbon and provides habitats for countless species.
Collocations: tropical rainforest · rainforest conservation · destroy a rainforest
recycling noun
The process of turning used materials into new products.
Recycling can conserve resources, although it should be combined with reducing consumption.
Collocations: recycling programme · recycling bin · recycling rates
smog noun
A mixture of smoke and other air pollution that forms a haze.
On still days, smog can make it difficult for residents to breathe comfortably.
Collocations: reduce smog · thick smog · smog levels
solar power noun phrase
Energy produced by using sunlight, usually to generate electricity or heat.
Solar power is becoming more affordable for households with suitable roofs.
Collocations: generate solar power · solar power system · rely on solar power
toxic adjective
Containing poisonous substances or causing harm to living things.
Some toxic chemicals remain in the environment for many years after they are released.
Collocations: toxic chemicals · toxic waste · toxic substances
water shortage noun phrase
A situation in which there is not enough water for people’s needs.
A prolonged drought can lead to a water shortage that affects households and agriculture.
Collocations: face a water shortage · water shortage crisis · prevent a water shortage
Band 7 words
acid rain noun · academic
Rain made unusually acidic by air pollution, which can harm ecosystems and buildings.
Acid rain can damage forests and contaminate lakes over time.
Collocations: acid rain damage · effects of acid rain · acid rain pollution
biodegradable adjective · academic
Able to break down naturally through the action of living organisms.
Biodegradable packaging may reduce persistent waste if it is disposed of properly.
Collocations: biodegradable packaging · biodegradable materials · fully biodegradable
biodiversity noun · academic
The variety of plant and animal life in a particular area or on Earth.
Protecting biodiversity is essential because healthy ecosystems provide food and clean water.
Collocations: protect biodiversity · loss of biodiversity · biodiversity conservation
carbon footprint noun phrase
The amount of carbon dioxide caused by a person, activity or organisation.
People can lower their carbon footprint by eating less meat and travelling by public transport.
Collocations: reduce your carbon footprint · measure a carbon footprint · a large carbon footprint
carbon neutral adjective phrase · formal
Causing no net increase in carbon emissions, usually by reducing or offsetting them.
Many companies aim to become carbon neutral by reducing emissions and supporting credible carbon-removal projects.
Collocations: become carbon neutral · carbon neutral target · carbon neutral operations
clean energy noun phrase
Energy produced with little or no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.
Investing in clean energy could help cities meet rising demand without increasing air pollution.
Collocations: generate clean energy · clean energy sources · switch to clean energy
climate crisis noun phrase · formal
The serious and urgent threat caused by human-driven changes to the climate.
The climate crisis requires coordinated action from governments, businesses and individuals.
Collocations: address the climate crisis · tackle the climate crisis · climate crisis response
conservation noun · academic
The protection and careful management of nature and natural resources.
Effective conservation requires both government action and support from local communities.
Collocations: wildlife conservation · conservation efforts · conservation of natural resources
contaminate verb · formal
To make something harmful or dirty by adding unwanted substances.
Industrial waste can contaminate local water supplies if it is not treated properly.
Collocations: contaminate water · contaminate the soil · contaminate food
contamination noun · formal
The presence of harmful or unwanted substances in something.
Industrial waste can cause water contamination and threaten public health.
Collocations: water contamination · risk of contamination · contamination of soil
coral reef noun phrase · academic
A large underwater structure formed by coral that supports many kinds of sea life.
Rising ocean temperatures can damage a coral reef and reduce the number of species it supports.
Collocations: coral reef ecosystem · protect a coral reef · coral reef conservation
deforestation noun · academic
The large-scale removal of trees from an area of land.
Deforestation can destroy habitats and increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Collocations: prevent deforestation · the rate of deforestation · deforestation of tropical forests
degrade verb · academic
To damage the quality or condition of something over time.
Intensive farming can degrade the soil and reduce its ability to support crops.
Collocations: degrade the environment · degrade soil quality · degrade natural habitats
depletion noun · academic
The reduction of something because it has been used up or lost.
The depletion of groundwater can make farming increasingly difficult in dry regions.
Collocations: depletion of resources · soil depletion · depletion of groundwater
drought noun
A long period with little or no rain, causing water shortages.
Prolonged drought can reduce crop yields and place considerable pressure on local water supplies.
Collocations: severe drought · prolonged drought · drought conditions
eco-friendly adjective
Designed to cause little or no harm to the environment.
Choosing eco-friendly cleaning products is one practical way to reduce household pollution.
Collocations: eco-friendly products · eco-friendly alternative · eco-friendly packaging
ecological adjective · academic
Relating to the relationships between living things and their environment.
Large construction projects can have serious ecological consequences if they destroy natural habitats.
Collocations: ecological balance · ecological impact · ecological damage
ecosystem noun · academic
A community of living things and the environment they depend on.
Protecting a forest ecosystem can help preserve biodiversity and maintain clean water supplies.
Collocations: a fragile ecosystem · protect an ecosystem · damage an ecosystem
emissions plural noun · academic
Gases or other substances released into the air, especially by vehicles or industry.
Improving public transport could help cities reduce vehicle emissions.
Collocations: reduce emissions · carbon emissions · emissions from industry
endangered species noun phrase · academic
A type of animal or plant at risk of disappearing completely.
Governments should protect endangered species by preserving their natural habitats.
Collocations: protect endangered species · endangered species conservation · a list of endangered species
energy efficiency noun phrase · academic
The ability to use less energy to perform the same task.
Improving energy efficiency in homes can reduce both household bills and carbon emissions.
Collocations: improve energy efficiency · energy efficiency measures · energy efficiency standards
extinction noun · academic
The complete disappearance of a species from the world.
Habitat loss and illegal hunting have brought several animals closer to extinction.
Collocations: face extinction · the risk of extinction · drive a species to extinction
extreme weather noun phrase
Very severe weather conditions that can cause serious damage or danger.
As climate patterns change, extreme weather is becoming more frequent and difficult for communities to predict.
Collocations: extreme weather events · prepare for extreme weather · extreme weather conditions
famine noun · formal
An extreme shortage of food affecting many people in an area.
Crop failures caused by extreme weather can contribute to famine and widespread displacement.
Collocations: widespread famine · risk of famine · famine relief
glacier noun · academic
A large mass of ice that moves slowly over land.
As the climate warms, each glacier may lose ice at a faster rate.
Collocations: melting glacier · glacier retreat · glacier ice
greenhouse gas noun phrase · academic
A gas in the atmosphere that traps heat and contributes to global warming.
Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be released by livestock farming.
Collocations: greenhouse gas emissions · a powerful greenhouse gas · reduce greenhouse gas levels
habitat loss noun phrase · academic
The destruction or reduction of the natural places where animals and plants live.
Habitat loss is a major threat to species that depend on forests for food and shelter.
Collocations: prevent habitat loss · habitat loss caused by development · habitat loss and fragmentation
hydroelectric adjective · academic
Producing electricity by using the movement of water.
Hydroelectric power can provide a reliable source of low-carbon electricity.
Collocations: hydroelectric power · hydroelectric dam · hydroelectric energy
irrigation noun · academic
The artificial supply of water to land or crops.
Efficient irrigation systems can help farmers maintain crop yields during dry periods.
Collocations: irrigation system · drip irrigation · irrigation water
marine life noun phrase · academic
Plants and animals that live in the sea.
Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to marine life, particularly animals that mistake rubbish for food.
Collocations: protect marine life · marine life habitats · marine life conservation
mitigate verb · academic
To make something harmful or unpleasant less severe.
Governments can mitigate the effects of climate change by investing in renewable energy.
Collocations: mitigate the effects · mitigate environmental damage · mitigate the impact
nuclear power noun phrase · academic
Electricity produced using energy released from atomic reactions.
Nuclear power produces little carbon dioxide during operation, but its waste requires careful storage.
Collocations: generate nuclear power · nuclear power plant · rely on nuclear power
organic adjective
Produced without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, especially in farming.
Organic farming can improve soil health, although its produce is sometimes more expensive.
Collocations: organic farming · organic food · certified organic
overfishing noun · academic
Catching fish faster than populations can reproduce and recover.
Overfishing has reduced fish populations and threatened the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Collocations: prevent overfishing · overfishing practices · overfishing of fish stocks
ozone layer noun · academic
A region of the atmosphere that absorbs much of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Protecting the ozone layer requires continued international action to limit harmful chemicals.
Collocations: protect the ozone layer · damage to the ozone layer · ozone layer depletion
pesticide noun · academic
A chemical used to kill insects or other organisms that damage crops.
Excessive pesticide use can contaminate water and harm species that benefit agriculture.
Collocations: use pesticides · pesticide residue · pesticide pollution
poaching noun · formal
The illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals.
Stronger enforcement is needed to prevent poaching in protected areas.
Collocations: combat poaching · illegal poaching · poaching of wildlife
reforestation noun · academic
The process of planting trees in an area where forests have been lost.
Reforestation can restore damaged landscapes and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Collocations: large-scale reforestation · reforestation programme · reforestation efforts
renewable energy noun phrase · academic
Energy from sources that are naturally replaced, such as wind or sunlight.
Investment in renewable energy can reduce dependence on coal and oil.
Collocations: generate renewable energy · renewable energy sources · invest in renewable energy
rising sea levels plural noun phrase · academic
The gradual increase in the average height of the oceans.
Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities and may force residents to move inland.
Collocations: rising sea levels threaten · impact of rising sea levels · rising sea levels and coastal erosion
single-use plastic noun · academic
Plastic designed to be used once before being discarded.
Banning single-use plastic could reduce the amount of rubbish entering rivers and oceans.
Collocations: ban single-use plastic · single-use plastic bags · single-use plastic packaging
soil erosion noun phrase · academic
The gradual removal of the top layer of soil by wind or water.
Planting trees on hillsides can reduce soil erosion during heavy rain.
Collocations: prevent soil erosion · the risk of soil erosion · soil erosion caused by rainfall
sustainable adjective · academic
Able to continue over time without seriously damaging the environment or using up resources.
Cities need sustainable transport options that are accessible to people on different incomes.
Collocations: sustainable development · sustainable energy · sustainable lifestyle
waste management noun · academic
The collection, treatment and disposal of rubbish and other unwanted materials.
Effective waste management depends on reliable collection services and public participation.
Collocations: improve waste management · waste management system · waste management policy
wildlife reserve noun phrase · formal
An area protected to provide a safe place for wild animals and plants.
A wildlife reserve can protect endangered species from hunting and habitat destruction.
Collocations: establish a wildlife reserve · wildlife reserve management · wildlife reserve boundaries
wind turbine noun phrase
A tall structure with blades that uses wind to generate electricity.
A wind turbine can provide clean electricity, although its output depends on wind conditions.
Collocations: install a wind turbine · a wind turbine generates electricity · offshore wind turbine
Band 8+ words
desertification noun · academic
The process by which fertile land becomes dry and unable to support much plant life.
Overgrazing and prolonged drought can accelerate desertification in vulnerable regions.
Collocations: combat desertification · the spread of desertification · desertification of farmland
invasive species noun phrase · academic
Plants or animals introduced to an area where they harm native life or ecosystems.
An invasive species can spread rapidly and disrupt the balance of a local ecosystem.
Collocations: control invasive species · invasive species threaten · spread of invasive species
resilience noun · academic
The ability to recover or adapt after difficulty or change.
Investing in flood defences can increase the resilience of vulnerable communities.
Collocations: build resilience · climate resilience · resilience to change
sustainability noun · academic
The ability to maintain a way of life or system without exhausting resources or harming the environment.
Long-term sustainability should be considered when governments plan new housing and transport infrastructure.
Collocations: environmental sustainability · promote sustainability · sustainability goals
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