Environment

Word

Meaning

Example sentence

Ban

disallow an action or thing in a specified area

The school banned water bottles because they are bad for the environment.

Carpool

when people take turns driving instead of taking two or more cars to the same location

I carpool to work with two of my neighbours who also work downtown.

clear cut or chop down

to remove trees from a forest

It is important to plant new trees in nearby areas after clear cutting.

Compost

put certain types of waste (vegetable peels, newspapers, dry leaves) into a large container that will break down into reusable soil

Since we started composting we've reduced our garbage by half.

Commute

travel from home to work (either by public transit or driving)

Imagine how much pollution you cause in a lifetime by commuting two hours a day?

Consume

take into our bodies or homes

Americans consume more than their share of the earth's resources.

Donate

give money or items to an organization or individual in need

When you donate money to this fund, the animals' habit is protected.

Emit

to give off or out

Cars emit harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Fertilize

treat plants and green spaces (lawns and fields) with special chemicals that helps them to grow

If you are going to fertilize your lawn, make sure to use an organic fertilizer.

Minimize

make as little as possible

We can minimize pollution by walking instead of driving to work and school.

Pollute

put dangerous substances into the ground and the air

Fumes from factories pollute our lakes and oceans.

Preserve

keep in its natural state

We need stronger laws in order to preserve our forests.

Protect

keep from harm

It is important to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Protest

voice concern about; fight against an issue or decision

The environmentalists will protest if the road builders don't make a bicycle lane.

Recycle

to take materials from garbage and form it into something new that can be used

Please recycle your junk mail instead of throwing it in the garbage.

Reduce

use less

You can reduce your household waste by buying products with less packaging.

Reuse

use again

We reuse the inner bags from the cereal boxes inside our small garbage can.

throw away

put in the garbage

Don't throw away your grass clippings; leave them on your lawn.

use up

use until there is no more

We are using up the earth's natural resources faster than ever.

Waste

throw away something that is still useful

Don't waste toilet paper; use one or two sheets instead of three or four.