You probably already know a lot of words for talking about the environment, pollution, and so on. In
this unit we focus particularly on collocations (words that are oft en used together). Try to learn these
and use them in your writing.
A. Threats and potential threats to the environment
Shrinking habitats1 are a threat to biodiversity2, in terms of both plants and animals, and
endangered species3 need legal protection if they are to survive. Although some climate change
sceptics4 disagree, most scientists believe that global warming5 will increase. This will encourage
polar ice to melt, resulting in rising sea levels and climatic changes. Carbon (dioxide) emissions6
from the burning of fossil fuels7 are contributing to the greenhouse eff ect8. In addition, population
growth exerts severe pressure on9 finite resources10, and the ecological balance11 may be upset
by uncontrolled deforestation12. Demographic projections13 suggest the world population will
continue to grow exponentially14, putting extra pressure on depleting resources15. Waste disposal16
is an increasing problem and toxic waste17 is contaminating18 many rivers and seas. Safe water may
become an increasingly precious commodity19, leading to issues of water security20. One of the
worst-case scenarios21 is that there will be no tropical rainforests left by the year 2050. Our only hope
is that pristine environments22 such as Antarctica can be protected from development and damage,
so that at least these habitats are preserved.
- 1 places where animals live and breed which are decreasing in size
- 2 variety of diff erent types of biological
- species
- 3 types of animals/plants which are in danger of no longer existing
- 4 people who do not believe
- that climate change is a serious issue
- 5 steady rise in average world temperatures
- 6 carbon dioxide gas
- from factories, cars, etc.
- 7 coal, oil, etc.
- 8 warming of the Earth’s surface caused by pollution, where
- gases trap and redirect heat back down to the Earth’s surface
- 9 puts great pressure on; formal
- 10 limited
- resources that will eventually run out / be exhausted
- 11 balance of natural relationships in the environment
- 12 unrestricted destruction/clearing of forests
- 13 forecasts about the population
- 14 grow extremely rapidly
- 15 resources that are reducing
- 16 getting rid of waste
- 17 poisonous waste materials
- 18 poisoning (something)
- 19 very valuable substance
- 20 ability to ensure that a population has safe drinking water
- 21 the worst possibilities for the future
- 22 perfectly clean/untouched/unspoilt areas
B. Responses to environmental issues and problems
- 1 reputation for positive support of the environment and for making policies that reflect this
- 2 people who always make the most depressing or pessimistic predictions about the future
- 3 development of industry, etc. which does not damage the environment or social and economic stability, and which can continue over a period of time
- 4 energy produced using sun, wind or crops rather than coal or other fuels which cannot be replaced once used
Common mistakes
People cause damage to the environment (NOT damages).
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