Vocabulário Essencial para o TOEFL - O Meio Ambiente e o Clima

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

ecossistema

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

ecologia

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

santuário, reserva natural

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

cinturão verde, zona verde

an area in which animals, etc. are protected

reserva, área protegida

provision of care for the environment

ambientalismo, ecologia

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

combustível fóssil, energia fóssil

any fuel that can be used instead of fossil fuels

combustível alternativo, combustível substituto

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

sustentável, ecológico

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

zero emissões, sem emissões

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

ecologicamente correto, amigo do ambiente

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

biodegradável

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

ecológico, amigo do meio ambiente

to remove unwanted or harmful substances from another substance

refinar, purificar

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

preservação, conservação

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

não renovável, não reabastecível

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

conservação, preservação

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

chuva ácida

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

pegada de carbono, balanço de carbono

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

mudança climática

a large fire that spreads fast and causes much destruction

incêndio florestal, fogo selvagem

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

tsunami

consisting of poisonous substances

tóxico, venenoso

any substance that is harmful to the environment

poluente, substância poluente

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

efeito estufa, aquecimento global

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

camada de ozônio

the sudden outburst of lava and steam from a volcanic mountain

erupção, explosão

the extensive removal of forests, typically causing environmental damage

desmatamento

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

contaminar, poluir

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

consumo, utilização

a storm with heavy snowfall and strong winds

tempestade de neve, nevasca

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

Fahrenheit, graus Fahrenheit

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

centígrado, graus centígrados

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

úmido, morno

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

monção, temporada de monções

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

trovoada, estrondo