en ‧ vi ‧ ron ‧ men ‧ tal S2 W2 AC /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl◂/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ environment , ↑ environmentalist ; adverb : ↑ environmentally ; adjective : ↑ environmental ]
1 . concerning or affecting the air, land, or water on Earth ⇨ ecological :
the environmental damage caused by the chemical industry
an international meeting to discuss environmental issues
the environmental impact of pollution from cars
an environmental group (=group of people who want to protect the environment)
2 . concerning the people and things around you in your life, for example the buildings you use, the people you live or work with, and the general situation you are in:
environmental risks to employees’ health
—environmentally adverb :
environmentally damaging projects
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ environmental issues
Environmental issues, such as cliff erosion and pollution, directly affect people’s lives.
▪ environmental protection
Is environmental protection more important than economic growth?
▪ environmental damage
the environmental damage caused by opencast mining
▪ environmental pollution
Power stations cause a lot of environmental pollution.
▪ environmental problems
Acid rain is one of the major environmental problems associated with burning coal.
▪ environmental concerns
Residents have raised some valid environmental concerns about the nuclear plant.
▪ environmental awareness (=how aware people are of environmental issues)
Schools are crucial in helping to raise environmental awareness.
▪ an environmental group
a campaign by environmental groups to protect the Antarctic
▪ the environmental movement (=all the groups concerned about the environment)
There are differences of opinion about nuclear power within the environmental movement.
▪ the environmental impact
Don’t underestimate the environmental impact logging has on the rainforest.
▪ environmental effects
The environmental effects of building the dam will be felt by generations to come.