Environment Vocabulary Answer Key

atmosphere- the mixture of gases that surrounds a planet; air

carbon dioxide- a gas that is a mixture of carbon and oxygen

conserve- to save

ecology- the study of how human activity affects the earth; the study of the relationship between plants and animals and their environment

efficient- something that works well and does not waste energy

energy- power from coal, electricity, or other sources that makes machines work and produces heat

environment- the natural world of land, sea, and air, including plants and animals

fossil fuels- fuel is something that burns, like coal, oil, or gas; fossil fuels are formed from the remains of fossils

hazardous- dangerous

landfill- a place that holds garbage that is stacked and covered with earth; a large “machine” that naturally processes trash in a safe, environmentally friendly way.

natural resource- material found in nature that is necessary or useful to people

reduce- use less; lower in amount; make smaller

renewable resources- resources that don’t run out or can be replaced within a few years or decades

nonrenewable resources- their supplies are limited and they cannot be replaced in a short time. (They take millions of years to form.)