Pollution
This 6-letter word describes any kind of waste, like snack wrappers or soda cans, that is thrown on the ground instead of in a bin.
What is litter?
This is the specific name for the permanent removal of trees to make room for something besides forest, like a farm or a parking lot.
What is deforestation?
This 10-letter word describes a species that has completely died out, with no living members left on Earth, like the Dodo or the Woolly Mammoth.
What is extinction?
This "R" word encourages finding a new use for an item instead of throwing it away, like using an old glass jar to hold pencils.
What is reuse?
Instead of using a paper napkin or a plastic fork and throwing it away, students can bring these from home to use over and over again.
What are reusable utensils?
This type of pollution is caused by smoke, dust, and gases from cars and factories, making it difficult for people with asthma to breathe.
What is air pollution?
Forests are home to 80% of the world's land-based species; when trees are cut down, animals lose this, which includes their food and shelter.
What is a habitat?
These protected areas of land or water are set aside by governments to keep wildlife safe from hunting and construction.
What are nature reserves?
This simple conservation habit involves flipping a switch when you leave a room to save electricity and reduce the need for power plants.
What is turning off the lights?
Before leaving for the day, students should do this to their monitors and printers to save energy while the school is closed.
What is powering them off?
This form of pollution happens when too many streetlights and buildings stay lit at night, making it hard to see the stars and confusing migrating birds.
What is light pollution?
Large forests, like the Amazon, actually help create this weather phenomenon by releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves.
What is rain?
This term refers to a species that is brought to a new environment where it doesn't belong, often outcompeting the local wildlife for food.
What is an invasive species?
This 11-letter term refers to the process of helping a damaged or destroyed ecosystem—like a wetland or a forest—return to its natural state.
What is restoration?
This 12-letter term describes the simple act of picking up trash you see on the ground, even if it isn't yours, to keep it out of local storm drains.
What is litter pickup?
These tiny pieces of plastic, less than 5mm long, are created when larger plastic waste breaks down and ends up in our food and water.
What are microplastics?
This "colorful" oil, found in everything from chocolate to shampoo, is a leading cause of deforestation in tropical places like Indonesia.
What is palm oil?
This 8-letter word describes the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, often for their fur, tusks, or to be sold as exotic pets.
What is poaching?
These man-made structures over or under busy highways allow animals to cross safely, preventing accidents and connecting split-up habitats.
What are wildlife crossings?
At the end of the year, instead of throwing away half-used notebooks, students can do this to the clean pages to save trees for the next semester.
What is repurposing them?
This type of pollution occurs when harmful chemicals or oil are accidentally spilled or leaked into the ocean or a river from a single, identifiable source.
What is water pollution?
Without tree roots to hold the ground in place, heavy rains can wash away this nutrient-rich top layer of earth, making it hard for new plants to grow.
What is soil erosion?
This is the term for a "star" species (like the Giant Panda or the Bald Eagle) used by conservationists to gain public support and protect an entire ecosystem.
What is a flagship species?
This is the practice of managing natural resources carefully to ensure they are available for future generations, rather than using them all at once.
What is sustainability?
Many schools are starting these programs where leftovers from the cafeteria are used to feed a school garden instead of going to a landfill.
What is a school composting program?