UNIT 8: VOCABULARY

ACID RAIN: any form of precipitation containing pollutants that acidify.

BIODIVERSITY: all the living things and the ecosystems on our planet, which create an ecological balance.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION: disappearance of the natural environment as a result of human occupation.

GLOBAL WARMING: changes in the global climate caused by natural variability and human activity.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT: greenhouse gases in the atmosphere maintain a suitable temperature on the planet.

HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER: decrease in the thickness of the ozone layer due to accumulations of CFCs over the polar regions.

WASTE MANAGEMENT: requires the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and government involvement to prevent uncontrolled pollution and operate purification and waste processing plants.