Climate Change
This gas is the most abundant greenhouse gas produced by human activities.
What is carbon dioxide?
Litter, chemicals, and smoke that harm the environment.
What is pollution?
This "recycling" turns organic waste into this nutrient-rich substance for soil.
What is composting?
A forest, pond, or desert with all its living and non-living parts interacting together.
What is an ecosystem?
Recycling and composting are great, but this “R” comes first because it’s the best way to limit waste in the first place.
What is reduce?
The rising average global temperature leads to more frequent and intense storms, droughts, and heatwaves.
What is climate change?
Oil that spills into oceans or rivers coats animals and plants, disrupting ecosystems.
What is oil pollution (or spills)?
Aluminum cans, glass bottles, and cardboard boxes can all be processed and used again.
What is recycling?
A species that no longer exists anywhere on Earth.
What is an extinct animal (or species)?
These kinds of cars produce zero tailpipe emissions and run on rechargeable batteries instead of gasoline.
What are electric vehicles/cars (or hybrid vehicles/cars)?
The melting of glaciers contributes to rising sea levels. Glaciers are primarily found in these two regions of the Earth.
What are the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctic)?
Certain factory gases and chemicals can damage this protective atmospheric layer, increasing the amount of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth.
What is the ozone layer?
This term describes products designed so they can be reused or recycled at the end of their life cycle.
What is sustainable design?
Bees, butterflies, and birds that help plants reproduce by carrying pollen.
What are pollinators?
Installing solar panels, using LED bulbs, and unplugging electronics are all ways to reduce this environmental measure.
What is carbon footprint?
The increase of this gas in the atmosphere has caused ocean temperatures to rise and coral bleaching to become more frequent.
What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?
When industrial waste spills into soil, it reduces fertility and harms plants, animals, and humans.
What is soil contamination?
Some plastics are difficult to recycle because they break down into tiny pieces and mix with other materials, creating this environmental problem.
What are microplastics (or microplastic contamination)?
When non-native species spread rapidly and harm local ecosystems.
What are invasive species?
Some governments use this financial mechanism to tax pollution and reward cleaner practices, pushing industries toward greener production.
What is a carbon tax (or environmental tax)?
Scientists use this layer of ice in Antarctica to study Earth's past climate by analyzing trapped air bubbles.
What is an ice core?
When fertilizers or sewage wash into rivers and lakes, they cause algae to grow excessively, which can suffocate aquatic life.
What is eutrophication?
Plastic made from renewable materials like corn starch or sugarcane, which can biodegrade under specific conditions.
What is bioplastic (or biodegradable plastic)?
Species that are found only in one specific geographic area, such as lemurs in Madagascar.
What are endemic species?
Farmers who plant cover crops between growing seasons improve soil health and prevent erosion.
What is regenerative agriculture?