Vocabulary Words Every Sustainability Engineer 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

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

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

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

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

Safe

Definition: Free from harm or danger.

• It is important to keep our home safe.
• Always wear a helmet to stay safe while biking.
• This is a safe place for kids to play.

Safe 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

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

Build

Definition: To construct or create something; also refers to developing skills or systems.

• They plan to build a new playground in the park.
• She wants to build her own computer.
• He worked hard to build his confidence.

Build in a sentence

Life

Definition: The condition of being alive; the existence of living things.

• Life is full of adventures and surprises.
• She enjoys every moment of her life.
• He dreams of a happy life in the future.

Life in a sentence

Work

Definition: activity involving mental or physical effort

• He has a lot of work to do this week.
• She enjoys her work as a teacher.
• They finished their work ahead of schedule.

Work 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

Natural

Definition: Existing in or caused by nature; not made or caused by humans.

• The natural landscape was breathtaking with mountains and rivers.
• She prefers natural ingredients in her skincare products.
• Natural beauty can be found in many forms.

Natural 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

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

Engineer

Definition: A person who designs and builds things.

• My brother is an engineer.
• Engineers build bridges and roads.
• She wants to become an engineer.

Engineer 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Development

Definition: The process of growth or progress; the act of creating something new.

• The development of the app took several months.
• They focused on the development of new skills.
• She is interested in the development of cities.

Development 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

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.

Recycling

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

• Recycling helps reduce waste in landfills.
• She always remembers to recycle paper and plastic.
• The school promotes recycling to protect the environment.

Recycling 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

Efficiency

Definition: The ability to do something with minimum waste of time and resources.

• They improved the efficiency of their study habits.
• Efficiency is key in completing tasks quickly.
• She values efficiency in her daily routine.

Efficiency in a sentence

Technology

Definition: The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes; tools and machines.

• Technology changes quickly in our world.
• She studies technology in school.
• They use technology to solve problems.

Technology in a sentence

Materials

Definition: Substances or components used to create something.

• We need to gather materials for our science project.
• Different materials can affect the quality of a product.
• She chose eco-friendly materials for her artwork.

Materials in a sentence

Strategy

Definition: A plan of action designed to achieve a goal.

• We need a strategy to complete the project on time.
• The team developed a new strategy for winning.
• Her strategy for studying includes flashcards.

Strategy in a sentence

Management

Definition: The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.

• Good management is key to a successful project.
• She works in management at a large company.
• Effective management helps teams achieve their goals.

Management in a sentence

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.

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

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

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.

Greenhouse

Definition: A structure made of glass for growing plants in controlled conditions.

• They built a greenhouse to grow vegetables.
• The greenhouse was warm and full of plants.
• She visited a greenhouse to learn about gardening.

Greenhouse in a sentence

Waste Management

Definition: the process of handling waste materials

• Effective waste management reduces pollution.
• They studied waste management techniques in science class.
• Waste management is important for environmental health.

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

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.

Renewable Energy

Definition: Energy that comes from sources that are naturally replenished.

• Solar and wind power are types of renewable energy.
• Using renewable energy helps reduce pollution.
• Many countries are investing in renewable energy technologies.

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.

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

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

Lifecycle

Definition: The series of changes that an organism goes through from birth to death; also used in product development.

• The lifecycle of a frog includes several stages.
• Understanding the product lifecycle helps businesses.
• She studied the lifecycle of different animals.

Lifecycle 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.

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

Green Technology

Definition: Innovative technologies that aim to reduce environmental impact.

• Green technology includes solar panels and wind turbines.
• He is studying green technology to promote sustainability.
• Understanding green technology is important for a healthier 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.

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

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

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

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.

Compliance

Definition: Following rules or standards.

• The company is in compliance with safety regulations.
• They ensured compliance with the new laws.
• She checked for compliance with the guidelines.

Compliance in a sentence

Assessment

Definition: An evaluation or test to measure knowledge or skills.

• The teacher gave an assessment to check our progress.
• We will have a math assessment next week.
• Assessments help identify areas to improve.

Assessment in a sentence

Degradation

Definition: The process of something being damaged or deteriorated; a decline.

• Environmental degradation affects wildlife habitats.
• The degradation of the soil is a serious concern.
• Understanding degradation helps in conservation efforts.

Degradation in a sentence

Remediation

Definition: The act of correcting or improving a problem.

• The remediation of the contaminated site will take time.
• They focused on remediation to restore the environment.
• Remediation efforts are crucial after a disaster.

Remediation in a sentence

Equilibrium

Definition: A state of balance between opposing forces or influences.

• The ecosystem maintains equilibrium through various interactions.
• He found equilibrium in his life by balancing work and leisure.
• Understanding equilibrium is essential in science and nature.

Equilibrium in a sentence

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.

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

Resource Efficiency

Definition: Using resources in a way that minimizes waste.

• Resource efficiency is important for sustainability.
• They focus on resource efficiency in their projects.
• Improving resource efficiency can save money and time.

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.

Decarbonization

Definition: the process of reducing carbon emissions

• Decarbonization is important for fighting climate change.
• The country is working on decarbonization strategies.
• She studied decarbonization methods in her environmental class.

Decarbonization in a sentence

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.

Sustainable Practices

Definition: Methods that are environmentally friendly and conserve resources.

• Sustainable practices help protect the planet.
• He follows sustainable practices in his daily life.
• Understanding sustainable practices is crucial for future generations.

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.

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.

Renewable Resources

Definition: Natural resources that can be replenished over time, such as solar or wind energy.

• Renewable resources are important for sustainable development.
• He advocates for using renewable resources to protect the environment.
• Understanding renewable resources helps combat climate change.

Ecological Balance

Definition: A state of equilibrium between living organisms and their environment.

• Ecological balance is essential for a healthy ecosystem.
• They learned about ecological balance in biology class.
• Protecting ecological balance is important for sustainability.

Anthropogenic

Definition: Referring to effects or processes that are derived from human activities.

• Anthropogenic pollution is a major cause of climate change.
• The study focused on anthropogenic impacts on wildlife habitats.
• Understanding anthropogenic factors helps in addressing environmental issues.

Anthropogenic in a sentence