When learning Portuguese, understanding the vocabulary that pertains to environmental issues can greatly enhance your conversational skills and help you engage in meaningful dialogue regarding one of the most pressing matters of the contemporary world. Below, we introduce and define several crucial terms, each with an example sentence to help you grasp their usage in context.

Meio Ambiente
This term translates to “environment” and is used to describe the natural world or ecological system.

Precisamos proteger o meio ambiente para gerações futuras.

Poluição
Pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

A poluição do ar é um problema grave nas grandes cidades.

Aquecimento Global
Global warming is a common term for the rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, predominantly the emission of greenhouse gases.

O aquecimento global está causando mudanças climáticas em todo o mundo.

Desmatamento
Deforestation pertains to the clearing or thinning of forests by humans.

O desmatamento na Amazônia é uma questão ambiental crítica.

Energia Renovável
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that continually replenish, such as wind, solar, and hydropower.

A energia renovável é importante para reduzir nossa dependência de combustíveis fósseis.

Reciclagem
Recycling is the process of converting waste into reusable material.

A reciclagem pode ajudar a reduzir o volume de lixo nos aterros sanitários.

Emissões de Carbono
Carbon emissions generally refer to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily from burning fossil fuels.

As emissões de carbono precisam ser reduzidas para combater o efeito estufa.

Biodiversidade
Biodiversity signifies the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

A preservação da biodiversidade é essencial para a saúde do nosso planeta.

Sustentabilidade
Sustainability involves meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

A sustentabilidade deve ser integrada em todas as decisões de desenvolvimento urbano.

Conservação
Conservation is the act of preserving, protecting, or restoring the natural environment and its inhabitants.

A conservação de espécies em perigo é fundamental para o equilíbrio ecológico.

Resíduos
Waste or rubbish refers to material that is not needed and is discarded.

Devemos encontrar maneiras de reduzir a quantidade de resíduos plásticos que produzimos.

By integrating these essential environmental terms into your Portuguese vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to express your concerns and insights about the current environmental challenges and solutions. These words serve as a foundation for learners to expand their knowledge and participate in discussions that can lead to a greater collective awareness and action for the environment, all while honing their language skills in Portuguese.