Adolescence /ˌæd

acid rain noun [ U ]
rain which contains large amounts of harmful chemicals as a result of burning substances such as coal and oil
biodiversity /ˌbaɪ.ə ʊ  .d a  ɪˈvɜː.sɪ.ti/ /-oʊ.dɪˈvɝː.sə.t ̬i/ noun [ U ]
the number and types of plant and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area or in the world generally, or the problem of protecting this
a new National Biological Survey to protect species habitat and biodiversity
climate change noun [ U ]
the way the world's weather is changing
contaminate /kənˈtæm.ɪ.neɪt/ verb [ T ]
to make something less pure or make it poisonous
Much of the coast has been contaminated by nuclear waste.
The food which had been contaminated was destroyed.
contaminated /kənˈtæm.ɪ.neɪ.tɪd/ /-t ̬ɪd/ adjective
The infection was probably caused by swimming in contaminated water/water contaminated with sewage.
contamination /kənˌtæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃ ə n/ noun [ U ]
The water supply is being tested for contamination (= the presence of unwanted or dangerous substances) .
deforestation /diːˌfɒr.ɪˈsteɪ.ʃ ə n/ /-ˌfɔːr-/ noun [ U ]
the cutting down of trees in a large area; the destruction of forests by people
Deforestation is destroying large areas of tropical rain forest.
disposal /dɪˈspəʊ.z ə l/ /-ˈspoʊ-/ noun [ U ]
1. when you get rid of something, especially by throwing it away
waste disposal
the disposal of hazardous substances
2. at sb's disposal formal
available to be used by someone
I would take you if I could, but I don't have a car at my disposal this week.
Having sold the house she had a large sum of money at her disposal (= to spend as she wanted) .
drought /draʊt/ noun [ C or U ]
a long period when there is little or no rain
This year (a) severe drought has ruined the crops.
ecosystem /ˈiː.kə ʊ  ˌsɪs.təm/ /-koʊ-/ noun [ C ]
all the living things in an area and the way they affect each other and the environment
Pollution can have disastrous effects on the delicately balanced ecosystem.
emission /ɪˈmɪʃ. ə n/ noun
1. [ U ] when gas, heat, light, etc. is sent out
The Green Party have called for a substantial reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases by the UK.
2. [ C ] an amount of gas, heat, light, etc. that is sent out
carbon dioxide emissions
environment /ɪnˈvaɪ ə  .rə n  .mənt/ /-ˈvaɪr.ə n  -/ noun NATURE
the air, water and land in or on which people, animals and plants live
Certain chemicals have been banned because of their damaging effect on the environment.
We're not doing enough to protect the environment from pollution.
erode /ɪˈrəʊd/ /-ˈroʊd/ verb [ I or T ]
1. to rub or be rubbed away gradually
Wind and rain have eroded the statues into shapeless lumps of stone.
The cliffs are eroding several feet a year.
2. to slowly reduce or destroy
His behaviour over the last few months has eroded my confidence in his judgment.
erosion /ɪˈrəʊ.ʒ ə n/ /-ˈroʊ-/ noun [ U ]