IELTS Environment Vocabulary

On this page you will find environment vocabulary. These words will help you write about the topic or talk about it in the test. It will also help with your reading if you have a text related to this topic.

You will find:

The word The definition
An example sentence

At the bottom of the page you will find links to essays connected to environment topics so you can see the environmental vocabulary you have learned in context. 

Environment Vocabulary





The air, water and land in or on which people, animals and plants live.



More must be done to protect the environment from pollution.

Environmental problems are becoming very severe in many countries.



The weather conditions generally present in an area or over a long period.


The mediteranean region tends to have a mild climate over the winter.





The change in global climate patterns which appeared from the mid to late 20th century onwards, caused mainly by the increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The climate around the world has been changing rapidly over the last decade.

Climate Change is one of the most serious problems that the world is facing today.





The gas formed when carbon is burned, or when people or animals breathe out.

The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which leads to global warming.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide.




A natural fuel such as coal, gas, or oil formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

Some people do not believe that human's reliance on fossil fuels is to blame for global warming.



A gradual rise in the world's temperatures caused by polluting gases such as carbon dioxide which are collecting in the air around the Earth and preventing heat escaping into space.

Deforestation is contributing to global warming because trees absorb carbon dioxide.


Cutting down and clearing areas of forest.

Deforestation is destroying animal habitats.


The natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives.

With so many areas of woodland being cut down, a lot of wildlife is losing its natural habitat.


All the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment.

The world has a delicately balanced ecosystem, and pollution can damange this.

The marine (= related to the sea) ecosystem was baldy damaged by the oil spill..


The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.

The rich and diverse biodiversity of our planet must be protected.


To make something less pure by exposing it to poisonous or polluting substances.


The water has been contaminated by the release of toxic chemicals into the river.

The water supply is being tested for contamination.

Toxic /


Poisonous / A poisonous substance

The dumping (= disposing of something in a careless way) of toxic waste has contaminated the area.

Leaded fuel from cars releases toxins into the air which can affect the brain.


A material or substance which is eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process.

The Green Party opposes any kind of nuclear waste being dumped at sea.


The production and discharge of something.

Emissions from car exhausts cause pollution around cities.

Carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced.


To graually reduce or destroy.

Over-farming causes soil erosion.


A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.

The severe drought this year has led to the loss of many lives.


Damage caused to water, air, land etc. by harmful substances or waste.

Environmental pollution must be a top priority of governments.

The air around the factory is very polluted.





Countries need to promote sustainable development in order to protect the environment from further damage.

View model essays that include environment vocabulary:

Global Warming Essay


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Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

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