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Impacts of climate change

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US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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How does climate change affect coral reefs?

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Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms, tsunamis, and landslides have the potential to be the source of a tremendous amount of marine debris. High winds, heavy rain, storm surge, and flooding associated with these disasters can pull large structures, household products, and outdoor items into surrounding waters.

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How does climate change affect coral reefs?

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How does climate change affect coral reefs?

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If you watched this video, you're probably interested in how plastics are made, and what impact they have on the environment. For starters, you might want to watch this video that shows you how plastic bottles are produced. The American Chemistry Council also has some helpful guidelines on how the material is manufactured, what different types there are, and what role monomers and polymers play in the manufacturing process. (What are monomers and polymers anyway? You can read more about how they're used in plastics, here.)

Moving on from the molecular stuff, plastic also has more visible impacts on the earth. First, learn about landfills, and what role plastic plays in the waste stream. Once plastics are in landfills, they could be contributing to leachate: you can learn more about this hazardous substance here.

Talking of hazards, plastic in the ocean is one of the greatest hazards of all. National Geographic explains how plastic pollution contributes to the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch', and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tells us what it really looks like (hint: it's not exactly a giant trash heap in the sea). They also delve into the science of how big these patches really are. You can learn more about the five major gyres in the world where pollution accumulates, and here's everything you need to know about microplastics: where they come from, why marine animals mistake them for food, and why they're capable of harming birds and other sea life.

But there's hope: plastics can be recycled, after all. Here, you can view the steps involved in recycling a plastic bottle, which turns it into material that can be reused to make a number of things-sometimes, even art! Look at the Natural Resources Defense Council for some useful solutions to the problem of plastic waste, and some tips for what you can do to slow the flow.

Finally, this TED speaker shares some ' tough truths about plastic pollution', and in this talk, you can meet the man who first discovered those ' garbage patches' in the sea. To end on a positive note, in this Ted Talk, the speaker tells us how we can recycle all kinds of plastics with the help of a special recycling plant.

Watch these other TED Ed lessons on Plastics and Pollution! Find out what can you do that can make a difference!

The seas of plastic and The nurdles' quest for ocean domination!

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What really happens to the plastic you throw away - Emma Bryce

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We've all been told that we should recycle plastic bottles and containers. But what actually happens to the plastic if we just throw it away? Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world.

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Problem-Solution Essay - Body Paragraphs

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Learn IELTS COLLOCATIONS and much more on Memrise

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Check the boxes below to ignore/unignore words, then click save at the bottom. Ignored words will never appear in any learning session.

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Read this extract from a report on getting rid of waste.

Disposal of household waste is a daunting task for local authorities . Towns and cities cannot just dump (1) such waste and hope it will go away. Household waste contains many materials and substances which are extremely harmful to the environment , and authorities need long-term solutions . Efforts to recycle waste are only a partial solution . Meanwhile, the problem of toxic waste (2) remains. One expert recently warned that the risks to public health are so great that we may have less than a decade to avoid an environmental catastrophe on a global scale .

(1) dispose of in an irresponsible manner

B. Climate change and its consequences

Here is an interview with Gary Prime, the American rock star known for his support of environmental campaigns, who is visiting London.

Prime : Definitely. You only have to look at the changing weather patterns in many parts of the world. It's absolutely vital that we change our ways before it's too late. Parts of Europe which used to be cooler now experience intense, searing heat , and temperatures soar above the average every summer. Other areas suffer widespread flooding on a regular basis. We can't continue in this way without there being dire consequences .

Prime : Yes, there is. We can all reduce our carbon footprint by flying less, and reduce our food miles by buying local produce. Some airlines have schemes now for offsetting carbon emissions .

Interviewer : Flying's only one part of it, though. Most of the problems come from vehicle emissions and power stations .

Prime : True, but there are things we can do about that too. Buy a hybrid car , develop alternative energy sources for homes, solar heating for instance, and build more offshore wind farms . Oil supplies will run dry within 50 years. Renewable energy can make a real difference. And politicians shouldn't be afraid of introducing green taxes and incentives to encourage eco-friendly design in architecture. With sufficient will, we can find a solution .

Prime : No problem, I've got just enough time to catch my flight to Los Angeles.

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When you make mistakes with collocations, the other person will usually understand you - but your English won't sound "natural" - because it's different from the way a native speaker would say it. Although it's possible to communicate successfully with incorrect collocations, using collocations correctly can help you speak more fluently.

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IELTS Materials and Resources, Get IELTS Tips, Tricks & Practice Test

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In the previous post, we have learnt a wide range of academic collocations about Crime. Today, I am going to show you the next topic that is about the Environment.

Vocabulary - Environment:

Pollution - is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

Biodiversity - refers to the variety of living organisms.

Ecosystem - a community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment.

Conservation - prevention of wasteful use of a resource.

Extinction - the fact or process of a species, family, or other group of animals or plants becoming extinct.

Useful collocations on the topic of environment

Damaging the Environment

The environment is always a common topic in IELTS Writing Test, especially in Task 2. Therefore, if you can make use of the collocations below, you will easily impress the examiner with your vocabulary and thus improve your writing IELTS score to band 7+.

1. Serious environmental degradation: The process in the quality of environment changes to a worse condition.

"In some industrial zones, the production processes may result in serious environmental degradation."

2. Irresponsible disposal of industrial waste: Discharge industrial waste without concern about the environment.

"Global warming stems from the irresponsible disposal of industrial waste."

3. Waste treatment systems: The way to treat wastes without harming the environment.

"If factory installed waste treatment systems instead of discharging chemical wastes into rivers, water pollution could be controlled."

4. Discharge chemical waste: to dispose of chemical waste.

"Nowadays, more and more company and industrial zones have been discharging chemical waste into rivers, causing death to many fish and other aquatic animals."

5. Litter the street: To leave the waste paper, cans, etc. on the street.

"Residents will consider newcomers dirty and ill-mannered if they litter the street or spit gum in public places."

6. The emission of greenhouse gases: The act of sending out gas, especially carbon dioxide or methane, that is through to trap heat above the Earth and cause the greenhouse effect.

"If countries all over the world could decrease their energy consumption, this will reduce the emission of greenhouse gases."

7. Chemical fertilizers/weed killers: Poison used to kill unwanted plants.

"Organic farmers do not pollute the water or the soil which result from the application of chemical fertilizers and weed killers."

8. Eco-friendly: Not harmful to the environment.

"Countries such as Japan are leading the way, for example, in developing more eco-friendly cars, buses and lorries."

9. To be spoiled by: To be received a bad effect that it is no longer attractive, enjoyable, useful, etc.

"Several famous beaches in Vietnam have been spoiled by this lack of respect for the local environment."

10.Contamination of land, air or water: To make land, air or water dirty or harmful by putting chemicals or poison in it.

"Contamination of land, air and water has reached alarming levels."

11. Illegal logging and deforestation: the work for cutting down trees for commercial purpose in an illegal way

"It should not be forgotten that illegal logging in the Amazon Basin is still a major factor in climate change."

12. Burning fossil fuels: Burning a fuel such as coal or oil that is produced by the very gradual decaying of animals or plants over million of years.

" Individuals can make a small contribution by not burning wood and other fossil fuels."

13. long-term consequences: something that happens in the distant future as a result of a particular action or set of conditions.

"The effects of our use of fossil fuels today may last for generations, and it is almost certain to have long-term consequences for humanity."

14. Renewable energy: Renewable energy comes from sources that can be easily replaced naturally so that there is always more available.

"Wind farms and other sources of renewable energy will help to reduce CO2 emission to an acceptable level."

15. Environmental protection: The act of protecting the environment.

" Environmental protection is one of the most important challenges almost every country is facing."

16. Sustainable development: The development without damaging the environment.

" The government should commit to sustainable development and the protection of the environment."

17. To deplete natural resource: To reduce the amount of natural resource.
" Depleting natural resource is become a serious concern for the government to get deal with."

18. Fight climate change: To prevent a permanent change in weather

"International cooperation is necessary to fight climate change."

19. Conserve energy: To protect and prevent energy from reduction.

"Scientists in many countries are cooperating to find a method to conserve energy."

20. Sort the daily garbage: To arrange garbage in groups according to size, type daily.

"One thing that individual can do to protect the environment is sorting the daily garbage."

21. Dump waste: To dispose of waste in an irresponsible manner

Example: Disposal of household waste is a daunting task for local authorities. Towns and cities cannot just dump such waste and hope it will go away.

22. Toxic waste: Poisonous waste

Example: Efforts to recycle waste are only a partial solution. Meanwhile, the problem of toxic waste remains.

23. Offset carbon emissions: Pay for an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide to be saved elsewhere

Example: Some airlines have schemes now for offsetting carbon emissions.

24. Introduce green taxes: Taxes which relate to the protection of the environment

Example: Politicians should not be afraid of introducing green taxes and incentives to encourage eco-friendly design in architecture.

25. Reduce carbon footprint: reduce amount of carbon dioxide created by an activity/person/business

26. Food miles: Distance food has to travel between where it is grown or made and where it is consumed

Example: We can all reduce our carbon footprint by flying less, and reduce our food miles by buying local produce.

Climate Change and Its Consequence :

27. Searing heat: extreme heat

Example: Parts of Europe which used to be cooler now experience intense, searing heat, and temperatures soar above the average every summer
28. Widespread flooding
Example: Most areas in Europe suffer widespread flooding on a regular basis.
29. Alternative energy sources 30. Hybrid car
Example: To protect the environment, people can buy a hybrid car, develop alternative energy sources for homes, solar heating for instance. and build more offshore wind farms.
31. Combat climate change
Example: It is absolutely vital that every civil plays their role in combating climate change.
32. Environmental catastrophe
Example: We may have less than a decade to avoid an environmental catastrophe on a global scale.

Other useful expressions/phrases for the Environment Topic :

The deterioration in the air quality

To curb environmental deterioration

To destroy/degrade the environment

To lower the demand for energy in every household

Exhaust fumes from vehicles

To raise the public's ecological consciousness

To promote environmentally-friendly technology

To reduce the dependence on the traditional energy resources/on fossil fuels.

To suffer from adverse effects of environmental problems

To burn fossil fuels to generate energy

The growing demand for fossil fuels in the world

Renewable energy from solar, wind or water power

Gas emissions from factories

To alleviate environmental problems

To contaminate the environment

The protection of wildlife

The biology will be seriously affected

Exercises :
Topic 1: Some people think that in order to prevent illness and disease, governments should make efforts in reducing environmental pollution and housing problems. To what extent do you agree to disagree with this statement?
You can read Sample Answer here.
Topic 2: Development in technology has brought various environmental problems. Some believe that people need to live simpler lives to solve environmental problems. Others, however, believe technology is the way to solve these problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
You can read Sample Answer here.
Topic 3: The best way to solve the world's environmental problems is to increase the cost of fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
You can read Sample Answer here.
Topic 4: Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments rather than individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Exercise 2. Here is an interview with Gary Prime, the American rock star known for his support of environmental campaigns, who is visiting London.

Fill in the blank with one of the following collocations:

Searing heat
Temperatures soar
Widespread flooding
Irreversible climate change
Food miles
Carbon footprints
Renewable energy
Eco-friendly

Offshore
Green taxes
Carbon emissions
Solar heating
Run dry
Dire consequences
Hybrid car

Interviewer: Would you agree that climate change is the most urgent issue facing us today?

Prime: Definitely. You only have to look at the changing weather patterns in many parts of the world. It's absolutely vital that we change our ways before it's too late. Parts of Europe which used to be cooler now experience intense, ____(1)_____, and _____(2)______above the
average every summer. Other areas suffer ____(3)_____on a regular basis. We can't continue in this way without there being ____(4)_____ .

Interviewer: So what can people do in the face of this ____(5)_____?

Prime: Yes, there is. We can all reduce our ____(6)_____by flying less, and reduce our ____(7)_____ by buying local produce. Some airlines have schemes now for offsetting ____(8)_____ .

Interviewer: Flying's only one part of it, though. Most of the problems come from vehicle emissions and power stations.

Prime: True, but there are things we can do about that too. Buy a ____(9)_____, develop alternative energy sources for homes, ____(10)_____for instance, and build more ____(11)_____wind farms. Oil supplies will ____(12)_____ within 50 years. ____(12)_____ can make a real difference. And politicians shouldn't be afraid of introducing ____(13)_____and incentives to encourage ____(14)_____ design in architecture. With sufficient will, we can find a solution.

Interviewer: Gary Prime, thank you for giving up your time for this interview.

Prime: No problem, I've got just enough time to catch my flight to Los Angeles.

Exercise 3 : Complete each sentence using a word from the collocations above.

1 It's absolutely............... that we all do something to reduce global warming.
2 Oil supplies are likely to.................dry within the next 200 years.
3 We looked out to sea and spotted some......................................wind farms.
4 The airline has a scheme where you can..........................your carbon emissions.
5 Continued use of fossil fuels will have...................consequences in the long term.
6 As a green organisation we only use architects who specialise in.....................design.

Exercise 4 : Correct the collocation errors in these sentences.

1 We need to find alternative energy origins for private homes.
2 The desert experiences soaring heat during the day but is cold at night.
3 They now have a sun heating system in their house; it's very economical.
4 Temperatures expanded during the summer months and reached a record high.
5 The government must present green taxes so people who damage the environment pay more.
6 He has one of those mixed cars which alternates between petrol and battery power.
7 The weather designs have changed in recent years: winters arc milder, summers are hotter.
8 Vehicle transmissions are the main source of pollution in big cities.
9 We must change our way before it is too late.

You can go to United Nations Environment Program website to learn more useful collocations related to the environment.

What do you think of today's lesson?

Leave us a message in the comments section below!

Don't forget to use these useful expressions on a daily basis to boost your IELTS writing score.
See also:

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Useful Collocations For IELTS Writing Task 2 - Topic: Environment

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In the previous post, we have learnt a wide range of academic collocations about Crime. Today, I am going to show you the next topic that is about the Environment. Pollution - is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment.

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Do you like talking about environmental issues like pollution, wildlife protection and endangered species, climate change, renewable energy, etc? Learning the following words will help you express your thoughts and concerns in English. You can check your understanding by doing our environment vocabulary quiz.

Do you really think you know more about climate change than a real climate scientist?

long-term global changes in temperature, wind patterns, rainfall etc.

Conservation wasn't a big issue until the book Silent Spring was published in 1966.

the protection and preservation of natural environments and resources

If you donate money to Greenpeace, you'll be helping endangered animals.

to give money or goods to an organization you want to help or support

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A list of words related to the environment. With definitions, example sentences and a multiple-choice quiz. For ESL learners and teachers.

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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Is Not What You Think It Is | The Swim

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Ocean Heroes: What is a Gyre? -- 5 Gyres Institute

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Here is a basic guide to how ocean currents work around the world.

Smithsonian has a great video and other resources on ocean currents here.

Here is a resource from Yale Environment 360 on how climate change is affecting ocean currents.

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How do ocean currents work? - Jennifer Verduin

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In 1992, a cargo ship carrying bath toys got caught in a storm. Shipping containers washed overboard, and the waves swept 28,000 rubber ducks and other toys into the North Pacific. But they didn't stick together -- the ducks have since washed up all over the world. How did this happen?

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'Here Comes the Garbage Barge!' read by Justin Theroux

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A fun but informative look at household waste disposal geared toward elementary age children. This short takes kids from garbage generated to recycling, waste to energy disposal, and landfilling in Layton, Utah.

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What Happens to Your Recycling After It's Collected? | NowThis

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What I discovered in New York City trash

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New York City residents produce 11,000 tons of garbage every day. Every day! This astonishing statistic is just one of the reasons Robin Nagle started a research project with the city’s Department of Sanitation. She walked the routes, operated mechanical brooms, even drove a garbage truck herself--a…

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This Company Is Transforming Plastic Recycling In India | Mashable India

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How Banana Waste Is Turned Into Rugs, Fabric, And Hair Extensions | World Wide Waste

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🇨🇴 Colombia's Lego Homes - earthrise (lead)

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10 Inventions That Are Saving The Planet

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Thailand: Turning straw into gold | Global Ideas