Glossary

Acid Deposition
Contamination of the ground and lakes etc. with acid, usually owing to sulphur dioxide emissions from power stations. This usually happens as acid rain.

Bioaccumulation
The building up of dangerous levels of a pollutant, usually in predators that feed on contaminated prey.

Biodiversity
Usually, the variety of wildlife species in a particular site or ecosystem.

Brudntland Report
A report produced in 1987 by Gro Harlem Brundtland of the United Nations proposing the ways in which sustainable development can be achieved.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
A colourless gas given off when fossil fuels are burnt. It is a greenhouse gas.

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)
Chemicals used in refrigeration, packaging, air conditioning and cleaning. They are now known to damage the ozone layer.

Contagious
Describes a disease that can be passed on by direct contact between people.

Ecosystem
The living and non-living environment of a particular site (e.g. a lake or desert), and the relationships between them.

Fossil Fuel
A naturally occurring carbon-based fuel such as coal, oil or gas, formed millions of years ago.

Gene Pool
The variety of genes (inherited pieces of information which determine what an organism is like) available to a population of plants or animals.

Global Warming (Global Climate Change)
Changes in the Earth's climate, believed to be caused by greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gases
Gases that trap heat from the Sun reflected from the Earth's surface, acting like a greenhouse.

Habitat
The natural home of an animal or plant.

Habitat Fragmentation
The breaking up of large habitats into smaller areas which are of less value to wildlife. Often caused by farming and building.

Heavy Metals
Types of metal which can contaminate the environment easily. They include lead, zinc and mercury. They are usually toxic to animals and plants.

Hydroelectricity
Electricity generated using the power of falling water. Building a dam traps water, allowing a lot of energy to be extracted from it when it is released.

Inflation
(In economics) the rate at which the prices of goods increase.

Irrigation
Supplying land with water by building ditches and canals. Usually done to help water crops.

Multinational
A large company which operates in several countries. (e.g. BP, McDonalds)

Oxides Of Nitrogen (NOx)
A range of gases emitted when fuels are burnt in air. They can cause acid rain and can affect human health.

Ozone (O₃)
A form of oxygen which has three oxygen molecules instead of the two that form the oxygen that we breathe (O₂). It is toxic, but a layer of it high above the earth protects us from radiation.

Regeneration
Re-growth of a population of plants or animals through reproduction.

Renewable Energy
Energy from a never-ending source, such as wind power or solar power.

Resistance
An ability to withstand pesticides etc. which can occur if a pest is repeatedly exposed to them.

Sanitation
The use of practical methods to improve public health, especially sewers etc.

Soil Erosion
The loss of soil from a site, usually through winds or water. It happens easily if plants are removed.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
A gas given off from power stations and other industries, mainly through the use of coal. It is responsible for acid deposition.

Ultraviolet
Invisible radiation from the sun that can cause skin cancer and damage plants.

United Nations (UN)
An international organisation of independent states that was formed in 1945 to promote international co-operation and peace.

Vaccination
The treatment of people to protect them against a specific disease (e.g. tetanus, rabies).