Unit 4

Palabra

Definición

Ejemplo

carbon emission

the release of greenhouse gases and/or their precursors into the atmosphere over a specified area and period of time

Carbon emissions from cars are heating up the planet

clean energy

energy produced from renewable energy resources and which doesn't produce emissions that contribute to global warming

Clean energy is energy that does not pollute the atmosphere when used

forest fire

an uncontrolled fire in a wooded area

A forest fire destroyed hundreds of trees

fossil fuel

fuels, such as gas, coal, and oil, that were formed underground from plant and animal remains millions of years ago

A fossil fuel is a fuel such as coal produced by the decay of animals or plants over millions of years

greenhouse effect

the gradual warming of the surface of the Earth due to greenhouse gases being trapped in the atmosphere above the Earth

Greenhouse effect causes global warming

pollution

harmful chemicals and waste, and the damage they cause to the environment

Buses are quieter and create less pollution these days

recycle

to put used objects or materials through a special process so that they can be used again

Can I recycle my old phone?

solar panel

a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays as a source of energy

I'm certainly not going to install solar panels, they cost too much

waste

use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose

A bill was introduced to clean up toxic waste from local factories

altitude

the height of an object or place above the sea

Although the Altiplano is at a very high altitude, people and animals still live there

bean

a seed that comes from a climbing plant and is cooked as food

Beans are a cheap, healthy meal that you can buy tinned

drought

a long period when there is little or no rain

A drought is a long, dry period when there is little or no rain

flood

to cause to fill or become covered with water, especially in a way that causes problems

A flood is when everything becomes covered with water

supply chain

a series of processes involved in supplying a product to someone

All manufacturing companies hold finished goods in various locations through supply chain

founder

someone who establishes a business, organization, school etc

Do you know the founder of this company?

produce

make or manufacture from components or raw materials

Boeing produces planes

embrace

Hug, put arms around

He greeted her with a warm embrace

satisfy demand

to sell products in the quantities demanded by the market

A number of housing units have been built during the last decades to satisfy demand for new dwellings

humid

if the weather is humid, you feel uncomfortable because the air is very wet and usually hot

I hate this humid weather

pose a threat

create the threat of danger or harm

Such attacks pose a threat and constitute a provocation

saturate

To soak, fill, or load to capacity

Rain had saturated the ground

implement

to make something such as an idea, plan, system or law start to work and be used

I know I can count on you all to make sure these changes are implemented as smoothly as possible

mitigate

make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful

Measures need to be taken to mitigate the environmental effects of burning more coal

sustainable

Able to be sustained for an indefinite period without damaging the environment, renewable

A large international meeting was held with the aim of promoting sustainable development in all countries

serious

a serious problem, situation, etc. is very bad and worrying

A serious threat facing honeybees is colony collapse disorder

particular

specific

He wouldn't take just any book he had to have this particular one!

to face challenges

to have to deal with a challenging situation

Pollution of the environment is one of the most serious challenges we face

in the long term

used when talking about what will happen at a later time or when something is finished

In the long term oil price will continue to stay low

outdated

out of date; old-fashioned

In the attic she found a lot of outdated furniture

spread

open out (something) so as to extend its surface area, width, or length

A slow smile spread over her face

standstill

a situation or condition in which there is no movement or activity at all

Negotiations were at a complete standstill

update

to add the most recent information to something

Can you give me an update on what progress you've made on this problem?

cyberattack

the use of the Internet to illegally see or damage the information on someone's computer system

For cybersecurity, a single cyberattack can degrade a control system in multiple ways

affect

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

Air pollution affects the weather in our region

recover

return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength

After a few days of fever, she began to recover

ransomware

a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid

The ransomware demanded $300 to unlock the files

locate

to start a business or company in a particular place

The business is located right in the center of town

victim

someone who suffers because of something bad that happens or because of an illness

According to the news report, there were no less than 10 victims after the fire

warning

something that tells you that something bad, dangerous or annoying is going to happen

Completely without warning he turned up on my doorstep with all four children!

install

to put a computer program onto a computer so that the computer can use it

Can you help me install this app?

encrypt

to protect information by putting it into a special code that only some people can read, especially information that is on a computer

Your financial information is fully encrypted and cannot be accessed

identify

establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is

A recent survey identified 50 of the world's most inspiring people

count on

to depend on someone to do what you want or expect them to do for you

Are you sure she will help? Don't count on it

impatient

annoyed because something is not happening as quickly as you want or in the way you want

Civil society was becoming increasingly impatient

flexible

a person, plan etc that is flexible can change or be changed easily to suit any new situation

A flexible person is the one that is not subject to strict norms or dogmas

creative

relating to or involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something

Ann was a very creative specialist

practical

able to provide effective solutions to problems

Being imaginative is better than being practical

analytical

examining or liking to examine things in detail, in order to discover more about them

Do you have an analytical mind?

extrovert

an energetic person who enjoys being with other people

Extroverts use these words more often than introverts

introvert

someone who tends to concentrate on their own thoughts and feelings rather than communicating with other people

I'm an introvert. I find it easier to express myself in writing than speaking