The variety of animal and plant life found in a particular place.
Example: It is important to preserve biodiversity in order to protect our ecosystems.
fr: Biodiversité
Carbon footprint
noun
The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular individual or organization.
Example: I have reduced my carbon footprint by cycling to work instead of driving.
fr: Empreinte de carbone
Climate change
noun
A change in global or regional temperature patterns.
Example: Climate change has led to the melting of the polar ice caps.
fr: Changement climatique
Conservation
noun
The protection of plants, animals and natural resources, usually by planned human action.
Example: It was Dimitri’s dream to get a job in conservation.
fr: Préservation
Creature
noun
Any living thing that can move independently.
Example: There are some fascinating creatures living in the deep ocean that we know hardly anything about.
fr: Créature / Bête
Deforestation
noun
The cutting down or burning of all the trees in an area.
Example: Deforestation results in the loss of habitat for millions of species, leads to soil erosion and, according to scientists, is a major cause of climate change.
fr: Déforestation
Ecosystem
noun
All the living things in an environment and the complex relationship between each of them and that environment.
Example: Coral reefs have a delicately balanced ecosystem which can be seriously damaged by overfishing.
fr: écosystème
Environment
noun
The natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, especially as affected by human activity.
Example: Picking up litter is a simple way to help protect the environment.
fr: Environnement
Environmental disaster
noun
A catastrophic event affecting the environment due to human activity.
Example: When the oil tanker ran aground, it caused an environmental disaster from which it took the local wildlife many years to recover.
fr: Catastrophe environnementale
Environmentally-friendly
adjective
Not harmful to the environment.
Example: There are many environmentally-friendly cleaning products on the market that don’t contain chemicals that damage the environment.
fr: Respectueux de l'environnement.
Evolution
noun
The process by which living things slowly change and develop over a long period of time.
Example: The theory of evolution states that all life on Earth today evolved over millions of years from simple organisms.
fr: évolution
Extinct
adjective
No longer existing
Example: Many species of plants and animals have become extinct due to human activity.
fr: éteint / disparu
Flooding
noun
When an area of land that is normally dry is covered with water.
Example: We have been told to expect more violent storms and frequent flooding as a result of global warming.
fr: Inondation
Global warming
noun
A gradual increase in world temperatures caused by polluting gases, such as carbon dioxide, which are collecting in the air around the Earth and preventing heat from escaping into space.
Example: It’s not too late to reverse the effects of global warming but we must act right now.
fr: Réchauffement climatique
Green washing
noun
Greenwashing is a marketing technique aimed at creating an illusion of ecological responsibility. Green communication doesn't always mean that the company is environmentally responsible.
Example: Private companies have developed several communication strategies which allow them to practise greenwashing.
fr: Blanchiment écologique
Habitat
noun
The natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organism.
Example: The loss of their natural habitat through deforestation is a serious threat to the orang utan in Borneo.
fr: Habitat
Migrate
Verb
To move from one region or habitat to another, usually when the season changes.
Example: Many birds migrate south to warmer climates in the winter.
fr: Migrer
Natural resources
noun
Materials or substances that exist in nature, such as coal, oil, and timber, and can be used by people.
Example: The success of humans as a species has been largely due to their ability to exploit the Earth’s natural resources.
fr: Ressources naturelles
Pollution
noun
Damage to water, air or land by harmful substances and waste materials.
Example: In some cities, the air pollution is so bad that people have to wear face masks when they go out.
fr: Pollution
Protected species
noun
A species which it is forbidden to harm by law.
Example: It prohibits destroying the critical habitats of protected species.
fr: Espèces protégées
Renewable energy
noun
Energy that is produced using natural resources such as the wind, sun, etc.
Example: The environmental benefits of renewable energy are countless.
fr: énergie renouvelable
Species
noun
A group of animals or plants that have similar characteristics and can reproduce together.
Example: Lions are a species of wild cat.
fr: Espèce
Sustainable
Adjective
Involving methods that do not use up or destroy natural resources.
Example: With advances in technology, it is hoped that we will eventually be able to replace fossil fuels with sustainable energy sources.
fr: Durable
Vegetation
noun
The collective name for all the plants growing in a particular place or area.
Example: Tropical regions are known for their dense vegetation.
fr: Végétation
Wildlife
noun
Animals that live in the wild in natural conditions. Birds, fish and insects are often included in the definition.
Example: Every evening, a wide variety of wildlife came to the waterhole to drink.