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Many students struggle with the IELTS Speaking Topic of The Environment, because they don’t have many ideas or they lack the English words to talk about this topic.
With this lesson, you will learn the key ideas you can discuss on this topic, as well as the essential and advanced vocabulary you need to talk confidently.
Table of Contents
IELTS Speaking vocabulary: The environment
Here is some useful vocabulary for this topic.
- Ecosystem (eco= environment, ecosystem is ‘an environment system’)
- Ecology (n.) = the study of the environment
- Ecological (adj.)
- Eco-friendly (adj.) = describes things that protect and look after the environment, rather than damaging it.
This fabric bag is eco-friendly
Global warming = increasing temperature of the earth due to the greenhouse effect of more gases (CO2, CH4) being trapped in the atmosphere.
Climate Change = similar to global warming but focus on changing climates around the world
Pollution
The following are all words (countable nouns) meaning waste or things we throw away.
- waste
- rubbish (UK)
- garbage (US)
- debris
- trash (US)
- litter (UK)
- junk
- refuse
A landfill (n.) (C) = a place where rubbish is dumped and buried
People dump rubbish in the sea, on the streets, in the landfills….
Biodegradable waste = waste that naturally decomposes.
Most waste is non-biodegradable, such as plastic.
We should segregate our rubbish (to separate) into ….
The 3 Rs: Recycle – Reduce – Reuse
Greenhouse gases
- Methane (CH4)
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Find out more about greenhouse gases here
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
Useful collocations
Methane emissions
Carbon dioxide emissions
Carbon footprints = the damage you cause to the planet by using carbon
To reduce our carbon footprint
To be carbon neutral
Learn about targets for zero carbon footprints
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/feb/12/bp-sets-net-zero-carbon-target-for-2050
How we damage the environment
Deforestation = cutting down trees
Poaching = killing endangered animals illegally
Illegal dumping = putting waste into a landfill / the sea without permission
Light / Air / Noise pollution
Cars, aeroplanes…= most transportation
Overuse of nonrenewable resources (oil, gas, coal…also known as – fossil fuels)
Learn about different kinds of sustainable energy
https://www.energy.gov/science-innovation/clean-energy
Growing urbanisation = cities growing bigger
Sea pollution
Use of pesticides (medicine for crops)
Destruction of bees
Desertification = making land dry and like a desert, not arable, not fertile
Digital garbage
Fashion industry is coming under attack for promoting consumerism and damaging the environment
Find out more about humans impact on the environment below
How we can protect the environment
When we talk about how we can protect the environment, we can use phrases like the following:
I am careful to ______
I am careful to recycle rubbish and waste at home
I strive not to ______
I strive not to use disposable plastic, such as coffee cups in Starbucks
I endeavour to _______
I endeavour to turn off the lights in my home
I make an effort to ______
I make an effort to turn taps off when possible
I pick up discarded rubbish sometimes OR …
…From time to time
…Once in a while
…Every now and then
…At times
I like to do my bit = to play my part = to contribute
We should steer clear of….. = to avoid
We should be wary of = be careful and cautious with.
More ways to protect the planet include,
- Save energy
- Save water, by not leaving the tap running unnecessarily
- Do some volunteer work
- Run a campaign to raise awareness
- Clean up beaches
- Participate in a beach clean-up
- Reduce plastic waste
- Protect wildlife habitats
IELTS Speaking lesson: How can governments tackle this issue?
Here are different things governments around the world can do to protect the planet
Raise awareness of the need to recycle
Sensitise people to the importance of using renewable energy
Incentivise (=to motivate) people to recycle
Incentivise (=to motivate) companies to use renewable energy and sustainable energy (solar (sun), hydro (water), wind…geothermal..)
Set zero-carbon energy targets
Reduce their carbon footprint to ‘net zero’
Promote the use of electric cars – and public transport
Plant trees
Carry our research on plastic substitutes (research on biodegradable alternatives)
Set up initiatives to protect…. wildlife / natural habitats / forests / endangered species
Implement policies to protect…
Put measures in place to protect…
Impose restrictions on….
Put in place strict / stringent policies
IELTS idioms to talk about the environment
To get out of hand = to be out of control
Damage to the environment is getting out of hand, if we don’t do something soon, we will lose our planet
To be in dire straits = to be in trouble
To be in deep water = to be in trouble
The tip of the iceberg = the beginning of the problem
To weather the storm = to survive difficult times
What do you try to do to protect the environment?
Leave me a comment below to let me know.
More IELTS Speaking Live Lessons
CRIME in IELTS Speaking. How to talk about crime, the use of technology to help tackle crime and idioms about it.
HOME in IELTS Speaking. Learn vocabulary and idioms to discuss your home, different parts of your house and accommodation in the past.
NOISE POLLUTION in IELTS Speaking. How to talk about different types of noise, and how noise pollution affects our lives today.
