Vocabulary Words Every Sustainability Coach Should Know

Sustain

Definition: To support or maintain something over time.

• We need to sustain our environment for future generations.
• She works to sustain local wildlife.
• Sustainable practices help sustain our resources.

Sustain in a sentence

Green

Definition: The color of grass or leaves; also means environmentally friendly.

• The grass is green after the rain.
• She prefers green vegetables for their health benefits.
• They want to live a green lifestyle.

Green in a sentence

Recycle

Definition: To process used materials to make new products.

• We should recycle paper and plastic to help the environment.
• She takes her recycling to the bin every week.
• Recycling reduces waste in landfills.

Recycle in a sentence

Waste

Definition: Unwanted materials or substances; to use carelessly.

• They recycle waste to help the environment.
• Don't waste food; take only what you can eat.
• The factory produces a lot of waste.

Waste in a sentence

Save

Definition: To keep something safe or to store for later.

• I save money for a new bike.
• Please save your work before turning off the computer.
• They save energy by using less electricity.

Save in a sentence

Plant

Definition: A living thing that grows in soil and needs water and sunlight.

• She planted a rose in the garden.
• Plants need sunlight to grow.
• We have a small plant in our room.

Plant in a sentence

Earth

Definition: The planet we live on; soil or ground.

• The earth is home to many animals and plants.
• We should take care of the earth and its resources.
• The earth rotates around the sun.

Earth in a sentence

Clean

Definition: To make something free of dirt or mess.

• I need to clean my room before my friends come.
• She will clean the dishes after dinner.
• We should clean up the classroom together.

Clean in a sentence

Water

Definition: A clear liquid that all living things need.

• We drink water every day.
• Plants need water to grow.
• The glass is full of water.

Water in a sentence

Air

Definition: The mixture of gases that we breathe; the atmosphere around us.

• The air feels fresh near the ocean.
• She opened the window to let in some air.
• Understanding air quality is important for health.

Air in a sentence

Energy

Definition: The ability to do work or cause change; vitality.

• I need more energy to finish my homework.
• He has a lot of energy after a good sleep.
• They use solar energy to power their home.

Energy in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Use

Definition: To employ something for a purpose.

• I use a pencil to write.
• They will use the computer for research.
• She knows how to use the new software.

Use in a sentence

Grow

Definition: To increase in size or develop; to cultivate plants.

• Plants need water and sunlight to grow.
• He wants to grow taller.
• She will grow flowers in her garden.

Grow in a sentence

Food

Definition: Any substance that can be eaten.

• I love Italian food.
• Healthy food is important for our bodies.
• They prepared a lot of food for the party.

Food in a sentence

Nature

Definition: The physical world and everything in it, including plants, animals, and landscapes; often refers to the environment.

• She loves spending time in nature during the weekends.
• Nature has a calming effect on many people.
• Understanding nature is essential for appreciating our planet.

Nature in a sentence

Change

Definition: To make something different; the act of becoming different.

• She decided to change her hairstyle.
• He likes to change his routine every month.
• Change is a natural part of life.

Change in a sentence

Community

Definition: A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests.

• Our community organizes events for everyone to enjoy.
• It's important to help your community by volunteering.
• The community came together to clean the park.

Community in a sentence

Buy

Definition: To get something by paying money.

• I want to buy a new phone.
• She bought a gift for her friend.
• They buy fresh vegetables from the market.

Buy in a sentence

Keep

Definition: To hold or retain possession of something.

• Please keep your belongings in a safe place.
• He decided to keep the book after borrowing it.
• Understanding keep helps in expressing possession.

Keep in a sentence

Sustainability

Definition: The ability to be maintained or continued over the long term.

• We should focus on sustainability to protect the environment.
• Sustainability is important for future generations.
• She advocates for sustainability in her community.

Sustainability in a sentence

Coach

Definition: A person who trains and instructs a team or individual.

• My coach helps me improve my basketball skills.
• We have a great coach who teaches us teamwork.
• I want to be a coach when I grow up.

Coach in a sentence

Environment

Definition: The natural world around us.

• We should protect our environment.
• The environment is important for all living things.
• Pollution harms the environment.

Environment in a sentence

Reduce

Definition: To make something smaller or less in amount.

• We need to reduce waste in our school.
• He is trying to reduce his sugar intake.
• You can reduce your spending by budgeting better.

Reduce in a sentence

Reuse

Definition: To use something again instead of throwing it away.

• They reuse plastic containers for storage.
• She likes to reuse old clothes by making them into new outfits.
• Reusing materials helps reduce waste.

Reuse in a sentence

Planet

Definition: a large body in space that orbits a star

• Earth is the planet we live on.
• Mars is known as the red planet.
• They studied the different planets in the solar system.

Planet in a sentence

Resources

Definition: Materials or supplies that can be used.

• The library has many resources for students.
• We need to manage our resources wisely.
• Natural resources are important for our survival.

Pollution

Definition: The presence of harmful substances in the environment.

• Pollution can harm animals and people.
• They learned about pollution in science class.
• We should work to reduce pollution in our city.

Pollution in a sentence

Climate

Definition: The long-term average of weather conditions in a region.

• The climate here is hot and dry.
• Climate affects the types of plants that grow.
• Many people study climate change.

Climate in a sentence

Healthy

Definition: Beneficial to health; not harmful.

• Eating vegetables is a healthy choice.
• It's important to stay active and healthy.
• She follows a healthy diet every day.

Healthy in a sentence

Support

Definition: To help or provide assistance to someone or something.

• Friends should support each other.
• The community came together to support the event.
• We need to support local businesses.

Support in a sentence

Future

Definition: The time that is yet to come; what will happen.

• I hope for a bright future.
• She wants to travel in the future.
• They talked about their future plans after graduation.

Future in a sentence

Conservation

Definition: The protection and preservation of natural resources and environments.

• Conservation efforts help save endangered species.
• She is involved in wildlife conservation projects.
• The conservation of forests is essential for our planet.

Conservation in a sentence

Renewable

Definition: Referring to resources that can be replenished naturally.

• Solar energy is a renewable source of power.
• Wind energy is considered renewable and sustainable.
• Using renewable resources helps protect the environment.

Renewable in a sentence

Ecosystem

Definition: A community of living organisms and their environment.

• The forest ecosystem is home to many animals.
• We learned about the ocean ecosystem in science class.
• Protecting our ecosystem is important for the planet.

Ecosystem in a sentence

Carbon

Definition: A chemical element found in all living things.

• Carbon is important for life on Earth.
• They discussed carbon emissions.
• Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air.

Carbon in a sentence

Resource

Definition: A source of supply or support.

• Water is a vital resource for life.
• They used their resources wisely to complete the project.
• Education is a key resource for development.

Resource in a sentence

Impact

Definition: The strong effect or influence something has.

• The impact of the storm was severe.
• They discussed the impact of climate change.
• Her speech made a big impact on the audience.

Impact in a sentence

Biodiversity

Definition: the variety of life in a particular habitat

• Biodiversity is essential for a healthy ecosystem.
• We studied biodiversity in our science class.
• The park is known for its biodiversity.

Biodiversity in a sentence

Footprint

Definition: An impression made by a foot; also can refer to environmental impact.

• I saw a footprint in the sand at the beach.
• The footprint of the company is growing.
• He studied animal footprints in the woods.

Footprint in a sentence

Habitat

Definition: The natural environment where a plant or animal lives.

• The forest is a habitat for many animals.
• They studied the habitat of the endangered species.
• She learned about different habitats in class.

Habitat in a sentence

Organic

Definition: Produced without the use of synthetic chemicals or fertilizers.

• She prefers to eat organic fruits and vegetables.
• Organic farming helps maintain soil health.
• Understanding organic products can lead to healthier choices.

Organic in a sentence

Awareness

Definition: Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact; being conscious of something.

• She raised awareness about environmental issues.
• Awareness of mental health is growing.
• He emphasized the need for awareness in the community.

Awareness in a sentence

Carbon Footprint

Definition: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activities.

• Reducing your carbon footprint is important for the environment.
• She calculates her carbon footprint to see how she can improve.
• A smaller carbon footprint means less impact on the planet.

Environmental

Definition: Related to the natural world and the impact of human activity on it.

• Environmental issues are important for future generations.
• She is passionate about environmental conservation.
• They discussed environmental policies at the meeting.

Environmental in a sentence

Climate Change

Definition: Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns on Earth.

• Climate change affects ecosystems and human life.
• They studied climate change in their science class.
• Understanding climate change is essential for future generations.

Climate Change in a sentence

Resource Management

Definition: The efficient and effective use of resources to achieve goals.

• Effective resource management is crucial for project success.
• She learned about resource management in her business class.
• Understanding resource management helps optimize operations.

Greenhouse Gases

Definition: gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change

• Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases.
• Reducing greenhouse gases is important for protecting the environment.
• Understanding greenhouse gases is crucial for climate science.

Permaculture

Definition: A system of agricultural and social design principles focused on sustainable land use.

• Permaculture promotes biodiversity and self-sufficiency.
• She learned about permaculture techniques in her gardening class.
• Understanding permaculture can lead to more sustainable living.

Diversity

Definition: the variety of different types or qualities

• Diversity is important in our community.
• The school celebrates cultural diversity.
• They promote diversity in the workplace.

Diversity in a sentence

Ecology

Definition: The study of how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

• Ecology helps us understand the balance of nature.
• She is studying ecology to learn about ecosystems.
• The ecology of the forest is very diverse.

Ecology in a sentence

Innovation

Definition: The introduction of new ideas, methods, or products.

• Innovation is key to business success.
• The technology sector thrives on innovation.
• They focus on innovation to improve their services.

Innovation in a sentence

Regeneration

Definition: The process of growing back or restoring something.

• The regeneration of the forest took many years.
• Scientists study regeneration in various organisms.
• Urban regeneration can improve neighborhoods.

Regeneration in a sentence

Impact Assessment

Definition: The evaluation of the effects of a project or action on the environment or community.

• The impact assessment showed how the project would affect wildlife.
• They conducted an impact assessment before building the new road.
• Understanding impact assessment is crucial for responsible planning.

Emissions

Definition: Substances released into the air, especially pollutants.

• The factory reduced its emissions to comply with regulations.
• They measured the emissions from the vehicle.
• Understanding emissions is key in environmental studies.

Urban Planning

Definition: The process of designing and organizing urban spaces and infrastructure.

• Urban planning helps create sustainable cities.
• He studied urban planning to improve city living.
• Effective urban planning addresses transportation and housing.

Urban Planning in a sentence

Resilience

Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

• Her resilience helped her overcome challenges.
• He admired her resilience during tough times.
• They teach kids about resilience in school.

Resilience in a sentence

Stewardship

Definition: The careful and responsible management of something, often related to the environment.

• Environmental stewardship is important for sustainability.
• He spoke about stewardship during the conservation meeting.
• Good stewardship helps protect natural resources.

Stewardship in a sentence

Circular Economy

Definition: An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and promoting the continual use of resources.

• A circular economy focuses on recycling and reusing materials.
• The company adopted circular economy principles to reduce waste.
• Understanding circular economy concepts can enhance sustainability efforts.

Greenwashing

Definition: Misleading claims about environmental practices to appear more eco-friendly.

• The company was accused of greenwashing its products.
• Consumers are wary of greenwashing tactics.
• He learned about greenwashing in his ethics class.

Mitigation

Definition: Actions taken to reduce the severity or impact of something.

• Mitigation strategies help lessen the effects of climate change.
• He focused on mitigation efforts for environmental protection.
• Understanding mitigation can prevent future risks.

Mitigation in a sentence

Adaptation

Definition: A change or adjustment made to fit new conditions or environments.

• Adaptation is necessary for survival in nature.
• They studied the adaptation of animals to their habitats.
• Her adaptation to the new school was quick and smooth.

Adaptation in a sentence

Ecological Footprint

Definition: A measure of the environmental impact of an individual or community.

• Reducing your ecological footprint can help protect the planet.
• He learned about his ecological footprint during environmental science class.
• Understanding ecological footprints promotes sustainability.

Sustainable Development

Definition: The practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

• Sustainable development focuses on environmental protection.
• She studies sustainable development to promote green practices.
• Understanding sustainable development is crucial for the planet.

Environmental Impact

Definition: The effect that human activities have on the environment.

• The environmental impact of pollution is significant.
• We studied the environmental impact of deforestation.
• Reducing environmental impact is essential for sustainability.

Social Equity

Definition: The fair and just distribution of resources and opportunities within a society.

• Social equity aims to reduce disparities among different groups.
• He advocates for social equity in education.
• Understanding social equity is important for community leaders.

Interdependence

Definition: Mutual reliance between groups, organizations, or countries.

• Global interdependence affects trade and economics.
• Countries show interdependence in various sectors.
• Understanding interdependence is vital in today's world.

Interdependence in a sentence

Conservationism

Definition: A movement aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources.

• Conservationism promotes sustainable practices.
• He is passionate about conservationism and wildlife protection.
• Understanding conservationism can lead to better environmental policies.

Biophilia

Definition: The inherent connection humans have with nature and living things.

• Biophilia encourages people to spend time outdoors.
• His biophilia motivates him to protect the environment.
• Understanding biophilia can improve mental health.

Biophilia in a sentence

Upcycling

Definition: The process of converting waste materials into new products.

• Upcycling can help reduce waste.
• She enjoys upcycling old furniture.
• They learned about upcycling in art class.

Ecological Restoration

Definition: The process of repairing and restoring damaged ecosystems.

• Ecological restoration aims to improve environmental health.
• She volunteered for a project focused on ecological restoration.
• Understanding ecological restoration promotes sustainability.

Environmental Justice

Definition: The fair treatment of all people regarding environmental policies and practices.

• Environmental justice seeks to address inequalities in pollution.
• She advocates for environmental justice in her community.
• Understanding environmental justice promotes equality.

Waste Reduction

Definition: the process of decreasing waste generation

• Waste reduction helps save resources.
• She advocates for waste reduction in her daily life.
• The project aims for waste reduction in schools.

Sustainable Sourcing

Definition: Obtaining materials or products in a way that is environmentally responsible and ethical.

• Sustainable sourcing helps protect natural resources.
• She researched sustainable sourcing practices for her project.
• Understanding sustainable sourcing is crucial for businesses.

Energy Efficiency

Definition: Using less energy to provide the same service or achieve the same result.

• Improving energy efficiency reduces costs and environmental impact.
• She installed energy-efficient appliances in her home.
• Understanding energy efficiency is important for saving resources.

Regenerative Agriculture

Definition: Farming practices that restore and enhance the health of the soil and ecosystem.

• Regenerative agriculture focuses on sustainable practices.
• He supports regenerative agriculture to promote environmental health.
• Understanding regenerative agriculture benefits food production.

Ecological

Definition: Related to the relationships between living organisms and their environment.

• Ecological studies help understand biodiversity.
• The ecological balance in the forest is vital.
• Understanding ecological systems is important for conservation.

Ecological in a sentence

Anthropocene

Definition: The current geological epoch, characterized by significant human impact on the environment.

• Many scientists believe we are living in the anthropocene.
• The anthropocene is marked by climate change and biodiversity loss.
• Understanding the anthropocene helps address environmental issues.

Environmentalism

Definition: The advocacy for the protection of the environment.

• Environmentalism focuses on sustainable practices.
• She is passionate about environmentalism and volunteers for clean-up events.
• Many organizations promote environmentalism to raise awareness.

Environmentalism in a sentence

Habitat Restoration

Definition: The process of repairing and revitalizing natural environments that have been damaged.

• Habitat restoration can help endangered species thrive.
• They participated in habitat restoration projects in their community.
• Understanding habitat restoration is essential for environmental conservation.

Climate Resilience

Definition: The ability to adapt to climate changes and challenges.

• Building climate resilience is crucial for communities.
• Her project focused on strategies for climate resilience.
• They discussed climate resilience at the conference.

Carbon Neutrality

Definition: Achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

• The company aims for carbon neutrality by 2030.
• Carbon neutrality is important for combating climate change.
• She supports initiatives for carbon neutrality in her community.

Interconnectedness

Definition: The state of being connected with each other; mutual relations.

• The interconnectedness of ecosystems is vital for balance.
• She emphasized the interconnectedness of global issues.
• Understanding interconnectedness helps us solve problems.

Interconnectedness in a sentence

Regenerative

Definition: Capable of restoring or renewing something.

• Regenerative medicine focuses on healing damaged tissues.
• The plant has regenerative properties that help it grow.
• He is interested in regenerative agriculture practices.

Regenerative in a sentence

Life Cycle Assessment

Definition: A process to evaluate the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle.

• The life cycle assessment showed areas to improve sustainability.
• She studied life cycle assessment in her environmental class.
• Companies use life cycle assessment to reduce waste.

Ecotourism

Definition: Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

• Ecotourism promotes sustainability and cultural understanding.
• He enjoyed ecotourism activities during his vacation.
• Understanding ecotourism supports environmental awareness.

Ecotourism in a sentence

Stakeholder Engagement

Definition: The process of involving individuals or groups who have an interest in a project.

• Stakeholder engagement helps ensure project success.
• They held meetings for stakeholder engagement to gather input.
• Effective stakeholder engagement builds strong relationships.

Biomimicry

Definition: Designing solutions inspired by nature and biological processes.

• Biomimicry helps create sustainable technologies.
• She studied biomimicry to find innovative design ideas.
• Understanding biomimicry encourages environmental awareness.

Systemic Change

Definition: a change that affects the entire system

• Systemic change is necessary for long-term improvement.
• They advocated for systemic change in education.
• Understanding systemic change can lead to better strategies.

Transparency

Definition: The quality of being open and honest; allowing others to see what is happening.

• Transparency in business builds trust with customers.
• The company values transparency in its operations.
• Understanding transparency is important for good governance.

Transparency in a sentence

Advocacy

Definition: The act of supporting a cause or proposal.

• She is known for her advocacy for children's rights.
• Advocacy can lead to important changes in society.
• His advocacy work focused on environmental issues.

Advocacy in a sentence