Vocabulario esencial para TOEFL - El medio ambiente y el clima

a community of living organisms together with their physical environment, interacting as a system

ecosistema

the scientific study of the environment or the interrelation of living creatures and the way they affect each other

ecología

an area for birds and animals to live and to be protected from dangerous conditions and being hunted

santuario

a strip of open land around a city where construction is prohibited in order to protect the environment

cinturón verde

an area in which animals, etc. are protected

reserva

provision of care for the environment

ambientalismo

a fuel that is found in nature and obtained from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago, such as coal and gas

combustible fósil

any fuel that can be used instead of fossil fuels

combustible alternativo

using natural resources in a way that causes no harm to the environment

sostenible

(of a vehicle) not producing gases harmful to the environment

cero emisiones

referring to actions, products, or practices that aim to preserve or protect the natural environment

ecológico

(of an object) able to be broken down by living organisms such as bacteria, which is then safe for the environment

biodegradable

referring to products, actions, or practices that are designed to cause minimal harm to the environment

ecológico

to remove unwanted or harmful substances from another substance

refinar

the action of keeping something the way it is or in good condition

preservación

(of a natural resource or source of energy) existing in limited amounts and not replaceable after being used

no renovable

the protection of the natural environment and resources from wasteful human activities

conservación

rain containing a great deal of acidic chemicals, caused by air pollution, which can harm the environment

lluvia ácida

the amount of carbon dioxide that an organization or person releases into the atmosphere

huella de carbono

a permanent change in global or regional climate patterns, including temperature, wind, and rainfall

cambio climático

a large fire that spreads fast and causes much destruction

incendio forestal

a very high wave or series of waves caused by an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption

tsunami

consisting of poisonous substances

tóxico

any substance that is harmful to the environment

contaminante

a global problem that is caused by the increase of harmful gases such as carbon dioxide which results in gradual warming of the earth

efecto invernadero

a combination of smoke and fog that is considered a form of air pollution

smog

a layer of gases in the earth's atmosphere that does not let the sun's ultraviolet radiation pass through

capa de ozono

the sudden outburst of lava and steam from a volcanic mountain

erupción

the extensive removal of forests, typically causing environmental damage

deforestación

to make a place, substance, etc. dirty or harmful by adding dangerous material

contaminar

the action or process of using a resource such as energy or food

consumo

a storm with heavy snowfall and strong winds

tormenta de nieve

related to or using a temperature scale on which water boils at 212° and freezes at 32°

Fahrenheit

related to or using a temperature scale on which water boils at 100° and freezes at 0°

centígrado

(of the climate) having a lot of moisture in the air, causing an uncomfortable and sticky feeling

húmedo

a period in the summer during which wind blows and rain falls in India or other hot South Asian countries

monzón

the loud crackling noise that is heard from the sky during a storm

trueno