This glossary contains the words used to describe environmental degradation. It can be for academic use, when writing about environment, climate change, pollution or any topic related to environmental degradation such as natural disasters.
catastrophe
noun
A sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction.
Example: Moreover a shop would normally be emptied of its goods before abandonment, so that only a sudden CATASTROPHE, like a fire, would catch it fully stocked.
fr: catastrophe
climate change
noun
A long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth's local, regional and global climates.
Example: CLIMATE CHANGE and other environmental issues which may have effect on the quality and the availability of the resources, both on the basic materials and on Forest Reproductive Materials should also be taken into consideration.
fr: changement climatique
energy-intensive
adjective
Using a lot of electricity, gas, etc.
Example: For instance, the service sector, which is less ENERGY-INTENSIVE, grows relative to the manufacturing sector, resulting in a negative income effect on energy consumption.
fr: énergivore
flood
noun
An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land.
Example: Risk of FLOOD damage is particularly great in small settlements in semi-arid regions due to the rarity of extreme rainfall and in a warmer world the frequency of these storms would increase.
fr: inondation
greenhouse effect
noun
The trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere, due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface.
Example: The excess water vapour, which itself is the most abundant greenhouse gas, will hence increase the GREENHOUSE EFFECT and accelerate global warming even further.
fr: effet de serre
greenhouse gas
noun
A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons are examples of greenhouse gases.
Example: Energy accounts for 80% of all GREENHOUSE GAS emission in the EU; it is at the root of climate change and most air pollution.
fr: gaz à effet de serre
heatwave
noun
A prolonged period of abnormally hot weather.
Example: The HEATWAVE, which affected us severely this summer, is a reminder of how serious the problem of greenhouse gas emissions is.
fr: canicule
natural disaster
noun
A natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that causes great damage or loss of life.
Example: The number of people suffering food crises as a result of NATURAL DISASTERS has tripled in the last thirty years.
fr: catastrophe naturelle
pollutant
noun
A substance that pollutes something, especially water or the atmosphere.
Example: It is estimated that modern agriculture is one of the major POLLUTANT factors of water.
