Unit 13

Word

Definition

Example

adapt to 

to gradually change your behaviour and attitudes in order to be successful in a new situation

Employers will have to adapt to the changing needs of the workforce.

advances 

a change, discovery, or invention that brings progress

Advances in technology will mean that employees won't need their own desk anymore.

affect 

to do something that produces an effect or change in something or in someone's situation

Population growth and economic development affect the world's water supply.

climate change 

a permanent change in the Earth's weather conditions

The earth is getting hotter because of climate change.

consumption

the amount of energy, oil, electricity etc that is used

The average daily consumption of water in the UK is around 4,500 litres per person.

cooperative 

made, done, or operated by people working together

Cause marketing is a cooperative effort between for-profit and non-profit organizations.

definitely 

without any doubt

Our employers definitely feel less stressed when they are allowed to work from home.

developed country 

a rich industrial country with a lot of business activity

People in developed countries are eating too much – it's a serious threat to their health.

donate 

to give something, especially money, to a person or an organization in order to help them

When you buy a pair of TOMS shoes, the company donates another pair to a child in need.

economic development 

when a country or area increases its wealth, for example by changing from an economy based on agriculture to one based on industry, or by changing to more modern industries and services

One of the biggest causes of global warming is economic development.

effect 

a change that is caused by an event, action etc

Climate change is having a negative effect on the world's water resources.

estimate 

a calculation of the value, size, amount etc of something made using the information that you have, which may not be complete

One report estimates that a 5% oil shortage could lead to a big price rise – maybe up to 400%.

forecast 

a description of what is likely to happen in the future, based on the information that you have now

Some analysts have forecast that the car will become a luxury item.

get better 

to improve

The situation will get worse; it won't get better.

get older 

aging

The population is getting older.

get worse 

to become worse

Unemployment in the first half of the year is high, and the experts predict that the figures will get worse.

global crisis 

period of extreme stress in global financial markets and banking systems

If we don't stop consuming so much water, the situation could soon turn into a global crisis.

have an impact on 

the effect or influence that an event, situation etc has on someone or something

Climate change has an impact on our natural resources.

initiative 

the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for someone to tell you what to do

So far, US schools have earned over $600 million from the initiative.

lead to 

to cause something to happen or cause someone to do something

A 5% shortage in oil will lead to a big price rise.

likely 

something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true

In years to come, it is likely that the world's water supply will no longer be able to meet the demand.

natural resource 

things that exist in nature and can be used by people, for example oil, trees etc

There is a rising demand for natural resources such as water.

population growth 

increase in the number of individuals in a population

Population growth is affecting the world's resources.

predict

to say that something will happen, before it happens

We predict that air pollution will be the biggest risk to people's health in the future.

prediction 

a statement about what you think is going to happen, or the act of making this statement

What predictions do experts have about the future of oil?

reserves 

an amount of something valuable such as oil, gas etc

Oil reserves are starting to run out.

resist 

to stop yourself from having something that you like very much or doing something that you want to do

Companies who adapt to change are more likely to survive than those who resist change.

restructure

to change the way in which something such as a government, business, or system is organized

Managers may need to restructure their companies.

rising demand 

an increase in demand

There is a rising demand for oil from countries like China.

run out of 

to use all of something and not have any more left

We're not going to run out of gas because we have enough reserves for 200 years.

serious threat 

the possibility that something very bad will happen

A water shortage would be a serious threat to economic growth and our food supply.

shortage 

a situation in which there is not enough of something that people need

In 2030, there will be a shortage of highly-qualified workers in certain sectors.

support a cause 

an aim, belief, or organization that a group of people support or fight for

Many customers buy products that support a cause.

teleworking 

working from home using a computer, fax etc connected to the office of the company you are working for

Teleworking is a sign that we trust our workers to manage themselves.

threaten 

to be likely to harm or destroy something

This crisis would really threaten the automobile industry.

turn into 

to become something different, or to make someone or something do this

This situation could soon turn into a global crisis.

unlikely 

not likely to happen

I'm unlikely to find a new job this year.

water shortage 

a situation in which there is not enough of water that people need

In countries with lots of water, it's easy to think that the water shortage isn't a problem.

water supply 

a system that is used to supply water

In years to come, it is likely that the world's water supply will no longer be able to meet the demand.