In this article, azVocab has compiled IELTS phrases related to the “Nature and Environment” topic, which you can easily apply to IELTS Writing Task 2 or the Speaking section. We also provided you with full meanings and examples of these phrases to make it easier for you to apply.
Subtopic Nature
“Nature” is one of the common topics that often appear in the IELTS exam. Let’s immediately learn the following phrases provided by azVocab.
| PHRASE | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
| An increase in the world’s demand for natural resources | The increase in the world’s demand for the materials such as water, coal, and wood that exist in nature and can be used by people | In conclusion, an increase in the world’s demand for natural resources is posing a number of threats to society. |
| Bitterly cold weather | Extremely and unpleasantly cold weather | The appearance of snow may make people excited but thick layers of snow with bitterly cold weather can cause depression for people. |
| A marine ecosystem | Aquatic environments with high levels of dissolved salt, such as those found in or near the ocean | A marine ecosystem food chain is a food chain that is specifically found within marine ecosystems. |
| Climate change | Changes in the world’s weather, in particular the fact that it is believed to be getting warmer as a result of human activity increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere | Climate change puts many animal species at risk of extinction. |
| Dust storm | A mass of dust and sand that has been lifted from the ground in very dry areas such as deserts and that is carried by the wind | Unusually hot and dry conditions led to a rare giant orange dust storm that covered the northwestern state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. |
| Extreme weather conditions | Unusual weather events that are at the extremes of the historical distribution for a given area | They are extreme weather conditions that can cause a lot of damage to people and property on a large scale. |
| Freezing cold weather | Extremely and unpleasantly cold weather | I could go to some Western countries such as America, Sweden or England to enjoy the freezing cold weather. |
| Harmful algal bloom | When colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds | Scientists call this a “Harmful algal bloom” (HAB). The most obvious harmful effects of HAB are marine animals or fishes, crustaceans, mollusks and other organisms that die in mass. |
| Natural calamities | A natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or tsunami that kills or injures a lot of people | Not only me but also many people on Earth have a fear of natural calamities. |
| Natural phenomena | Those that occur or manifest without human input | as well as admiring the snow falling outside – one of the most interesting natural phenomena. |
| Natural resources | Things such as minerals, forests, coal, etc. that exist in a place and can be used by people | There is a need for an environmentally sustainable plan that will not destroy natural resources and consequently people’s health. |
| Natural surroundings | The natural environment in which an animal or plant usually lives | The best thing about going on safari is seeing the animals in their natural surroundings rather than caged up in a zoo. |
| Pest plague | An infectious disease caused by pest | Risk of the outbreak of pest plague on fruit trees and tea trees. |
| Pouring rain | Rain falling in large drops and with a lot of force | Offices or schools had to make an emergency announcement to let their employees and students be at home to avoid any potential accidents that may be caused by the pouring rain. |
| Salinity intrusion | The incursion of saline water into the freshwater aquifer caused by natural processes or human activities | In Vietnam in recent years, this problem has become more and more urgent when the area of salinity intrusion is increasing due to global climate change. |
| Scorching heat | Extremely hot | if really bad weather conditions happen, for instance, scorching heat or torrential rain, it is easy for people to have their mood down. |
| Severe storm | An extreme weather condition with very strong wind, heavy rain, and often thunder and lightning | Hurricane Irma is a severe storm with a terrible destructive intensity that is making landfall in the state of Florida, USA. |
| Solar storm | An intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots | When a solar storm strikes the Earth, it often produces a dazzling “northern lights” display in parts of the atmosphere that can be seen in areas close to the Arctic Circle. |
| The conservation and recovery of natural resources | The management and preservation of important natural resources that are essential to human survival | It cannot solve deforestation, overfishing and overhunting, which should be tackled by other solutions, such as introducing a law on the conservation and recovery of natural resources. |
| The growing consumption of natural resources | The increase of human’s consumption of natural resources | It is true that the world today is facing the growing consumption of natural resources at an alarming rate, which results in negative impacts on the environment as well as communities. |
| The overexploitation of the world’s resources | Harvesting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns | Secondly, the overexploitation of the world’s resources makes our environment seriously deteriorate due to deforestation status. |
| The overconsumption of natural resources | Consuming resources that we cannot replenish or that cannot sustain themselves at the rate we are consuming them | Finland sets a target to curb the overconsumption of natural resources. |
| The resources come to the verge of depletion | Các nguồn tài nguyên có nguy cơ cạn kiệt | The most obvious threat is that once the resources come to the verge of depletion, humans would have to face the scarcity of fuels to provide essential energy. |
| The shortage of resources | The shortage of resources occurs when demand for a natural resource is greater than the available supply – leading to a decline in the stock of available resources | The real problem is the shortage of resources like food and fresh water. |
| Tidal wave | An extremely large wave caused by movement of the earth under the sea, often caused by an earthquake | A tidal wave is a regularly recurring shallow water wave caused by the effects of the gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth on the ocean. |
| To exploit natural resources | To use natural resources for your own benefit | In particular, does it include an obligation to exploit natural resources for national development and the well-being of the people? |
| Torrential rain | The rain that falls rapidly and in copious quantities | if really bad weather conditions happen, for instance, scorching heat or torrential rain, it is easy for people to have their mood down. |
| Flash flood | A sudden and severe flood | The flash flood washed a whole village from the hillside, killing dozens of people. |
| To tremble with cold | To shake slightly in a way that you cannot control because you are cold | Although I am aware that it is not easy to live in the weather when the temperature is low, sometimes I tremble with cold but I really want to enjoy that vibe. |
| Volcanic eruption | An occasion when a volcano explodes, and flames and rocks come out of it, or the act of doing this | Volcanic eruptions happen when lava and gas are discharged from a volcanic vent. |
| Dangerous epidemics | The appearance of a particular dangerous disease in a large number of people at the same time | The rain triggered inconvenience for people in different fields as a high death toll was recorded, traffic was in no order or people stood a high chance of dangerous epidemics. |
| Nature conservation | The protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity | One can reasonably deduce that 150 years of sporting interest have been good for nature conservation on this site. |
| Wildlife conservation | The practice of protecting wild species and their habitats in order to maintain healthy wildlife species or populations and to restore, protect or enhance natural ecosystems | The scheme has been going since the 1980s and it plays a role in wildlife conservation that is at the same time modest and indispensable. |
| Endangered species | A type of animal or plant that might stop existing because there are only a few of that type alive | There are many organizations that are committed to saving endangered species. |
| Threatened species | Any species (including animals, plants and fungi) which are vulnerable to extinction in the near future | This national forest is also home to many threatened species, including lynx and eagle. |
| Rare species | Such species that is very uncommon, scarce in number, and frequently encountered | The area supports local bird life including rare species such as the sandwich tern and little tern. |
| Extinct species | A species of animal or plant that is extinct no longer has any living members, either in the world or in a particular place | In addition, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. |
| Natural resource depletion | The consumption of a resource faster than it can be replenished | With growing populations, natural resource depletion is accelerating, resulting in widespread deforestation, overgrazing, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion. |
| Man-made disaster | Disasters which are caused by man, either intentionally or by accident, which that can directly or indirectly cause severe threats, either directly or indirectly, to public health and/or well-being | The worst deluge was largely a man-made disaster. |
| Delicately balanced ecosystem | A habitat which is not sustainable | They are working to preserve the delicately balanced ecosystem of these wetlands. |
| Fragile ecosystem | Ecosystems whose features are susceptible to rapid degradation and whose restoration is difficult due to its natural characteristics and geographical location | The fragile ecosystem and high risk of adverse weather conditions put the species at particular risk of population loss. |
| To get back to nature | To start living a more simple life, often in the country | They went on a camping trip to get back to nature. |
Subtopic Environment
Below, azVocab will provide you with phrases related to the “Environment” topic. You can apply them to your Writing Task 2 or Speaking part.
| PHRASE | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
| Environmental pollution | Damage caused to water, air, etc. by harmful substances or waste | When there is an undesirable change in the surrounding that has harmful effects on plants and animals, it leads to environmental pollution. |
| Exhaust gas | Emitted as a result of the combustion of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel, fuel oil, biodiesel blends, or coal. | Other aspects- like table setup, lenses and focus, exhaust gas, and material preparation- must be done manually. |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | The emission into the earth’s atmosphere of any of various gases, esp carbon dioxide, that contribute to the greenhouse effect | Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities strengthen the greenhouse effect, contributing to climate change. |
| Soil erosion | The process by which soil is gradually removed from the surface of the earth by the action of the rain, sea, or wind | The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. |
| Land degradation | The deterioration or loss of the productive capacity of the soils for present and future | The United Nations General Assembly has agreed to jointly combat land degradation. |
| Marine pollution | A combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean | I welcome the progress that is being made in controlling and reducing marine pollution. |
| Melting of the polar ice caps | The melting of a high-latitude region of a planet, dwarf planet, or natural satellite that is covered in ice | The melting of the polar ice caps will bring enormous change to the world. |
| Environmental disaster | A catastrophic event regarding the natural environment that is due to human activity | When the oil tanker ran aground, it caused an environmental disaster from which it took the local wildlife many years to recover. |
| Environmental hazard | A substance, state or event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment or adversely affect people’s health, including pollution and natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes. | The illegal storage of toxic waste presents a significant environmental hazard. |
| Global warming | A gradual increase in world temperatures caused by gases such as carbon dioxide that are collecting in the air around the earth and stopping heat escaping into space | Global warming causes ice to melt rapidly, polar bears are quickly destroyed due to food shortages and habitat destruction. |
| Alternative energy | Energy from moving water, wind, the sun, and gas from animal waste | More emphasis should be placed on developing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar energy, and tides. |
| Solar panel | A device that changes energy from the sun into electricity | Thus, more solar cells could be installed on the solar panel, which could improve the performance of solar arrays. |
| Biodiversity preservation | The practice of protecting and preserving the wealth and variety of species, habitats, ecosystems, and genetic diversity on the planet | Biodiversity preservation is pioneering an eco-literacy program targeting students in the Mahebourg Region. |
| The ozone layer | A layer of air containing ozone high above the earth that prevents harmful ultraviolet light from the sun from reaching the earth | If the ozone layer were destroyed, most living things on the earth would disappear. |
| Contaminate groundwater | To pollute groundwater | Nitrates can contaminate groundwater if more nitrate is applied to the soil than the plants and soil can use. |
| Illegal dumping | The unauthorized disposal of numerous types of waste | Illegal dumping is the disposal of trash generated at one location and disposed of at another location without legal permission. |
| Habitat destruction | The process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species | Habitat destruction is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. |
| Intensive farming | A way of producing large amounts of crops, by using chemicals and machines | The use of intensive farming can damage the environment. |
| Temperatures soar | Temperatures that are rapidly increasing | California temperatures soar to new records, adding strain to the power grid. |
| Ozone layer depletion | The thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere | Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. |
| Domestic waste | Any waste that is generated in the home from day-to-day activities | Domestic waste is one of the most important components of municipal waste. |
| Industrial waste | The waste produced by industrial activity which includes any material that is rendered useless during a manufacturing process such as that of factories, mills, and mining operations | Industrial waste falls into two main categories: non-hazardous waste and hazardous waste. |
| Disposable products | A disposable product is intended to be thrown away after use | When I was young, things were made to last a long time and be used over and over again, but now we live in a world of disposable products and have a huge waste problem. |
| Dumping ground | A place where something that is not wanted is left | If we continue treating our oceans as dumping grounds, they will eventually become too polluted to sustain life. |
| Eco-friendly source | Materials that are defined as being not environmentally harmful | Solar panels are an eco-friendly source of energy. |
| Sustainable energy source | Resources that can maintain current operations without jeopardizing the energy needs or climate of future generations | A sustainable energy source is one which ensures supply for future generations and reduces damage to the environment. |
| Renewable energy | Energy that is produced using the sun, wind, etc., or from crops, rather than using fuels such as oil or coal | Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. |
| Alternative energy | Energy that does not come from coal, oil, gas, or wood, especially energy from moving water, wind, the sun, or animal waste | When you hear the term ‘alternative energy‘ it’s usually referring to renewable energy sources too. |
| Clean energy | Energy that comes from renewable, zero emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures | Scientists predict that clean energy could reliably and affordably provide up to 80 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050. |
| Green technology | The use of technology and science to create products and services that are environmentally friendly | Green Technology is a non-profit based in Altadena California. |
| Sustainable living | A lifestyle that attempts to reduce the use of Earth’s natural resources by an individual or society | In more complex terms, sustainable living aims to achieve an environmental equilibrium |
| Biodegradable packaging | Packaging made from materials that can be broken down by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and algae | We offer the world’s most eco-friendly packaging supplies – recycled, recyclable, and naturally biodegradable packaging to ensure you can be proud of how you ship. |
| Conservation programme | A document submitted by a land user containing information for the conservation of soil, water, vegetation and other applicable natural resources for an area of land currently being implemented and maintained | Next year I’m planning to volunteer on a conservation programme in Spain which researches dolphins. |
| Environmental degradation | The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil; the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife | Environmental degradation is an alarming issue on the planet. |
| To do something harmful to the environment | To damage the environment | When people experience a negative imbalance from having done something harmful to the environment. |
| To face the scarcity of fuels and materials | To face the siuation that the demand for a material is greater than the availability of its resource | The most obvious threat is that once the resources come to the verge of depletion, humans would have to face the scarcity of fuels and materials. |
| To fight/combat pollution | To deal with environmental pollution | To combat pollution and its inequalities, European citizens are calling for the “right to clean air” for all. |
| To utilize new sources of energy | To use new sources of energy in an effective way | However, there is still a lot of room for improvement with regard to how to utilize new sources of energy in a more efficient way in automobiles. |
| Easily recyclable | Able to be recycled easily | Most metals are easily recyclable. |
azVocab hopes that these phrases for the topic of “Nature and Environment” will help you easily approach these two subjects. Wishing you good study and success in your upcoming IELTS exam!
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