Advanced English Collocations: Environment

 Do you know how to speak about environmental threats such as climate change and deforestation? Which words does 'threat' collocate with?  What can be 'sustainable? 

Below you can find some useful collocations that deal with causes and consequenses of major threats to the environment, opinions on the issues, and measures to protect the planet.

What is good for the environment

                    alternative energy sources
                    renewable energy
                    solar heating
                   offshore wind farms
                   hybrid cars
                   green taxes / issues / politics / credentials
                   eco-friendly design / products
                   pollution prevention / standards / control
                   sustainable development / agreeculture / form of transport / use of resources
                   recyclable materials / substances / cardboard packaging etc.
                   biodegradable materials / chemicals / plastic
                   organic farming / gardening
                   ecological balance

Threat(en)   

 

to threaten crops / wildlife / water supplies
to pose a threat (to)
environmental /  fundumental / grave threat
under threat of extinction
the threat from overfishing /deforestation
a threat to places / species / people's livelihoods
to identify smth as an urgent threat 

to threaten / to destroy the livelihoods

Climate Change

climatic changes
irreversible climate change
to cause / to produce climate change
to fight / to tackle / to address / to adapt to  climate change

 CAUSES
global warming
greenhouse gases / effect
to contribute to the greenhouse effect
to trap heat in the atmosphere
to exist naturally
to act like a blanket
household / toxic waste      
carbon dioxide / nitrogen oxide, sulphur // veicle / exhaust  //  harmful, toxic emissions          
to release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere    
fossil fuels
to burn fossil fuels
to generate energy


CONSEQUENCES
dire / devastating / unavoidable / serious consequences
to face the consequences / new challenges for survival
to prepare for consequences

the changing weather patterns
extreme weather events
rising sea levels
melting glaciers
intense / record droughts
intense rainfalls
searing heat (обжигающая)
heat waves
heat waves become frequent
the temperatures soar
widespread flooding

acid rain

shrinking habitats
endangered species
environmental catastrophy
risks to public health
to wreak havoc on...


OPINIONS
respected scientific organisations
to reach a consensus
an overwhelming consensus

to identify smth as an urgent threat

the need for urgent action to address...
the need is indisputable

to address the crisis
to adequatly address ...
demographic / future projections
prophets of doom and gloom
the worst case scenario

to change our ways


to reduce carbon pollution // our carbon footprint // carbon / vehicle emissions // our food miles
to urgently / dramatically reduce

to offset carbon emissions
schemes for offsetting...

Deforestation

FORESTS' ROLE
to protect the planet
to produce vital oxigen
to absorb  / soak up carbon dioxide
massive amounts of CO2
to act as a carbon sink
to mitigate climate change / carbon emissions
to play a critical role in
to provide homes for
be home of the world's biodiversity / the most endangered species
to offer benefits
to keep a balance between

FORMS AND CAUSES
to clear / chop down / cut down / destroy / drain / log forests

to convert forests to farmland
conversion to agriculture / farmland / pasture land / pulp plantations
illigal logging / removal of timber

IMPACTS
result in extinctions
go extinct
unable to subsist
reduced biodiversity
to become carbon sources
to increase carbon emissions
soil erosion / loss
disrupted livelihoods

MEASURES
sustainable forestry
responsible / sustainable forest manegement

to promote sustainable bioenergy / reforestation
to combat illigal logging
to seem unattainable