Topic Summaries

agotar = to exhaust / to use up

el agujero = hole

amenazar = to threaten

apagar = to turn off

el asilo = asylum / care home

el atasco = traffic jam

el aumento = increase

el beneficio = benefit

la capa de ozono = ozone layer

el calentamiento global = global warming

el cambio climático = climate change

combatir = to fight / to combat

el consumo = consumption

la contaminación = pollution

el contaminante = pollutant

los desechos = waste / rubbish

el desperdicio = waste / squandering

la desigualdad = inequality

el derecho = right (human right)

el desempleo = unemployment

el desarrollo sostenible = sustainable development

el efecto invernadero = greenhouse effect

la energía renovable = renewable energy

ensuciar = to make dirty

el envase = packaging / container

la escasez = shortage / lack

estropear = to ruin / to spoil

los gases de escape = exhaust fumes

la huelga = strike

el huracán = hurricane

la igualdad = equality

la inmigración = immigration

la inundación = flood

la justicia = justice

la lluvia ácida = acid rain

la marea negra (vertido de petróleo) = oil spill

la multa = fine / penalty

nocivo = harmful

la obra benéfica = charity (project)

la ONG = NGO (non‑governmental organisation)

el petróleo = oil

el prejuicio = prejudice

recaudar fondos = to raise funds

el reciclaje = recycling

los recursos naturales = natural resources

los residuos = refuse / waste

el río = river

la selva = jungle / tropical forest

la sequía = drought

personas sin hogar = homeless people

el testigo = witness

el vertedero = rubbish dump

voluntario / voluntaria = volunteer