When learning a new language, it’s essential to equip yourself with vocabulary that reflects current global concerns. In Italian, there are numerous words related to the environment and ecology that will help you discuss these vital issues. Below is a curated list of terms and example sentences to bolster your Italian lexicon.

Ambiente
The Italian word for ‘environment’, ‘ambiente’, is a term that encompasses the natural world, conditions, or surroundings in which a person, plant, or animal lives.
Il rispetto per l’ambiente è fondamentale per la sopravvivenza del pianeta.

Ecologia
‘Ecologia’ is the word for ‘ecology’, which is the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Studiare ecologia all’università può aprire molte porte nel campo della ricerca ambientale.

Conservazione
Meaning ‘conservation’, ‘conservazione’ refers to the action of conserving something, especially the natural environment, by preventing decay or destruction.
La conservazione delle foreste pluviali è vitale per la biodiversità.

Inquinamento
The term ‘inquinamento’ translates to ‘pollution’, which is the contamination of the environment, especially by industrial wastes or chemicals.
L’inquinamento dell’aria nelle grandi città è un problema serio.

Energie rinnovabili
‘Energie rinnovabili’ refers to ‘renewable energy’, which encompasses energy from natural resources that can replenish over short periods, like solar or wind power.
Le energie rinnovabili rappresentano il futuro della produzione energetica.

Riciclaggio
‘Riciclaggio’ means ‘recycling’. It’s the process of converting waste into new material or products, aiming to reduce resource consumption.
Il riciclaggio è un ottimo modo per ridurre i rifiuti e proteggere l’ambiente.

Sostenibilità
‘Sostenibilità’, or ‘sustainability’, is the ability to maintain ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.
La sostenibilità ambientale dovrebbe essere una priorità per tutti i governi.

Risparmio energetico
‘Risparmio energetico’ translates to ‘energy saving’. It refers to measures that result in a reduction of energy use.
Adottare misure di risparmio energetico può significare una grossa differenza nella bolletta della luce.

Deforestazione
This is the Italian word for ‘deforestation’, which means the clearing or thinning of forests by humans.
La deforestazione in Amazzonia continua ad essere un problema critico.

Biodiversità
‘Biodiversità’ stands for ‘biodiversity’, which is the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or the world as a whole.
L’Alta varietà di specie è un indicatore della salute della biodiversità di un ecosistema.

Fauna
The term ‘fauna’ is used in Italian as it is in English to denote the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
La fauna della savana include leoni, giraffe e elefanti.

Flora
Similarly, ‘flora’ refers to the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
La flora mediterranea è adattata a sopportare lunghi periodi di siccità.

By familiarizing yourself with these environmental and ecology-related Italian words, you can engage in meaningful discussions about our planet’s health and contribute to raising awareness on these topics in Italian. Keep practicing, and remember that every new word is a step towards fluency and understanding. Buon apprendimento!