expanding: to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
verb. Development is therefore fundamentally about removing barriers and expanding choices.
effect: something that inevitably follows an antecedent (such as a cause or agent)
noun. One centres on confusing cause with effect.
fossil fuel:a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) formed in the earth from plant or animal remains
noun. The exploitation of this non-conventional fossil fuel is costly.
deforestation: the action or process of clearing of forests
noun. Overall rates of deforestation are declining.
alternatives: offering or expressing a choice
adjective. Correctional needs include alternatives to overcrowded prisons.
solid waste: A collective term for garbage, refuse, rubbish, and trash, each term representing a definite category of solid-waste materials
noun. Large-capacity storage unit for recycling solid waste.
overfishing: to fish to the detriment of (a fishing ground) or to the depletion of (a kind of organism)
verb. Mediterranean swordfish are heavily depleted after many years of overfishing.
planet: any of the large bodies that revolve around the sun in the solar system
noun. We are preparing to orbit the planet.
greenhouse gas: any of various gaseous compounds (such as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect
noun. It is the third most important greenhouse gas.
deserts: arid land with usually sparse vegetation
noun. Beyond the deserts lie the Rocky Mountains.
coastal flooding: Flooding that occurs from storms where water is driven onto land from an adjacent body of water
noun. Note that no one disaster will cause all the coastal flooding shown on this map.
flooding: a rising and overflowing of a body of water especially onto normally dry land
noun. After torpedo room reports flooding, sir.
untreated sewage: means sewage that has not been treatedby a type approvedsewage treatment plant, or that has not been comminutedand disinfected.
noun. That was untreated sewage flowing close by on its way to the sea.
desertification: the process of becoming desert (as from land mismanagement or climate change)
noun. Intensive agriculture and wastage of water intensifies desertification.
country: an indefinite usually extended expanse of land
noun. Tajikistan is traditionally a labour-exporting country.
acid rain: rain that has increased acidity caused by environmental factors (such as atmospheric pollutants)
noun. Sulfuric acid rain killing the vegetation.
global warming: an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution
noun. Due to global warming, penguins are endangered.
climate change: significant and long-lasting change in the Earth's climate and weather patterns
noun. Addressing climate change is therefore essential.
endangered species: a species threatened with extinction
noun. The Hawaiian petrel is an endangered species.
air pollution: The presence in the atmosphere of large quantities of particles or gases produced by human activity; these are harmful to both animal and plant life.
noun. How air pollution affects our everyday life.