A city park after a busy weekend can tell a surprising story. Near one tree, there may be an empty bottle. Beside a bench, there may be food packaging. Next to a path, a full bin may show how much rubbish people leave behind in only one day. At first, this may look like a small local problem. However, every piece of waste raises a bigger question: what do we use, what do we throw away, and what can we change?
One essential step is learning to avoid unnecessary waste. People can reduce the amount they buy, cut down on products with too much packaging and limit their use of single-use plastic. They can also replace disposable products with reusable or biodegradable alternatives. These choices may seem small; nevertheless, they help conserve valuable resources.
Before throwing something away, it is worth asking whether it can be used again. People can reuse glass jars, bags and containers. They can also donate clothes, books, toys or furniture that they no longer need. Some materials cannot be reused forever, so it is also important to recycle. Recycling works best when people sort paper, plastic, metal and glass correctly and place them in a recycling bin, also called a recycle bin.
Food waste can have a second life too. Fruit skins, vegetable pieces and leaves can become compost, which later helps plants grow. Water can sometimes be reused as well. In some places, grey water from sinks, showers or washing machines is collected for watering plants. At home, people can conserve energy by choosing energy-efficient lights and machines and remembering to unplug chargers when they are not in use. Larger communities may also use renewables, such as solar, wind or water power.
However, green practices are not only individual habits. A neighbourhood can organise a clean-up event where volunteers collect rubbish from a beach, park or street. A school can create a community project to plant trees or improve a green area. These activities may encourage more people to join in, take part in local events and believe that they can make a difference.
Every public space, such as a park, square or street, belongs to the whole community. When people care for it, the local area becomes cleaner and more pleasant. A natural area, such as a forest, meadow or riverbank, also provides homes for plants and animals. Therefore, communities need to protect wildlife, especially when an endangered species is at risk.
Some actions can have an even wider impact. Reforestation can bring trees back to places where forests were cut down. People may also choose to protest if they believe that a forest, river or public space is in danger. However, protest is only one way to take action. People can volunteer, write letters, support local projects and share ideas with others.
Green practices are not about doing everything perfectly. A product reused, a charger unplugged, a tree planted and a clean-up joined may seem like small steps. Together, however, these actions can change a home, a school, a neighbourhood and eventually the world around us.
One essential step is learning to avoid unnecessary waste. People can reduce the amount they buy, cut down on products with too much packaging and limit their use of single-use plastic. They can also replace disposable products with reusable or biodegradable alternatives. These choices may seem small; nevertheless, they help conserve valuable resources.
Before throwing something away, it is worth asking whether it can be used again. People can reuse glass jars, bags and containers. They can also donate clothes, books, toys or furniture that they no longer need. Some materials cannot be reused forever, so it is also important to recycle. Recycling works best when people sort paper, plastic, metal and glass correctly and place them in a recycling bin, also called a recycle bin.
Food waste can have a second life too. Fruit skins, vegetable pieces and leaves can become compost, which later helps plants grow. Water can sometimes be reused as well. In some places, grey water from sinks, showers or washing machines is collected for watering plants. At home, people can conserve energy by choosing energy-efficient lights and machines and remembering to unplug chargers when they are not in use. Larger communities may also use renewables, such as solar, wind or water power.
However, green practices are not only individual habits. A neighbourhood can organise a clean-up event where volunteers collect rubbish from a beach, park or street. A school can create a community project to plant trees or improve a green area. These activities may encourage more people to join in, take part in local events and believe that they can make a difference.
Every public space, such as a park, square or street, belongs to the whole community. When people care for it, the local area becomes cleaner and more pleasant. A natural area, such as a forest, meadow or riverbank, also provides homes for plants and animals. Therefore, communities need to protect wildlife, especially when an endangered species is at risk.
Some actions can have an even wider impact. Reforestation can bring trees back to places where forests were cut down. People may also choose to protest if they believe that a forest, river or public space is in danger. However, protest is only one way to take action. People can volunteer, write letters, support local projects and share ideas with others.
Green practices are not about doing everything perfectly. A product reused, a charger unplugged, a tree planted and a clean-up joined may seem like small steps. Together, however, these actions can change a home, a school, a neighbourhood and eventually the world around us.
Key vocabulary:
1. Reducing, Reusing and Recycling
avoid — [əˈvɔɪd] — to try not to do something or use something; izvairīties
donate — [dəʊˈneɪt] — to give money or things to help people or organisations; ziedot
recycle — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.kəl] — to use old materials again to make new things; atkārtoti izlietot
reduce — [rɪˈdʒuːs] — to make something smaller or less; samazināt
reuse — [ˌriːˈjuːz] — to use something again instead of throwing it away; atkalizmantošana, atkārtota izmantošana, izmantot atkārtoti
avoid — [əˈvɔɪd] — to try not to do something or use something; izvairīties
donate — [dəʊˈneɪt] — to give money or things to help people or organisations; ziedot
recycle — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.kəl] — to use old materials again to make new things; atkārtoti izlietot
reduce — [rɪˈdʒuːs] — to make something smaller or less; samazināt
reuse — [ˌriːˈjuːz] — to use something again instead of throwing it away; atkalizmantošana, atkārtota izmantošana, izmantot atkārtoti
Word-building corner
2. Waste and Recycling Habits
bin — [bɪn] — a container for rubbish; atkritumu tvertne
compost — [ˈkɒm.pɒst] — old food, leaves or plants that become useful soil; komposts
packaging — [ˈpæk.ɪ.dʒɪŋ] — paper, plastic or other material used to cover products; iepakojums
recycling bin (also: recycle bin) — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.klɪŋ bɪn] — a bin for paper, plastic, glass or other materials that can be recycled; šķirošanas konteiners
rubbish (US: garbage, trash) — [ˈrʌb.ɪʃ] — things that people do not want and throw away; atkritumi
sort — [sɔːt] — to put things into different groups or types; šķirot
throw away — [ˌθrəʊ əˈweɪ] — to put something in the rubbish because you do not want it; izmest
waste — [weɪst] — things that people throw away, or using more than necessary; atkritumi, izšķērdēšana, izšķiešana
3. Saving Resources at Home
cut down on — [ˌkʌt ˈdaʊn ɒn] — to use or do less of something; samazināt, lietot mazāk
conserve — [kənˈsɜːv] — to use something carefully so that it is not wasted; taupīt, saudzēt, saglabāt
gray water — [ˈɡreɪ ˌwɔː.tər] — used water from sinks, showers or washing machines that can sometimes be used again, for example for watering plants; atkārtoti izmantojami saimniecības notekūdeņi
limit — [ˈlɪm.ɪt] — to control something so that it does not become too much; ierobežot
replace — [rɪˈpleɪs] — to use one thing instead of another; aizstāt
single-use plastic — [ˌsɪŋ.ɡəl ˌjuːs ˈplæs.tɪk] — plastic that is used once and then thrown away; vienreizlietojamā plastmasa
unplug — [ˌʌnˈplʌɡ] — to disconnect a device from electricity; atvienot no elektrības
Revise vocabulary related to home: Describing Where We Live: Vocabulary for Home Environments
4. Helping Nature and the Community
biodegradable — [ˌbaɪ.əʊ.dɪˈɡreɪ.də.bəl] — able to decay naturally and not harm the environment; biosabrūkošs
clean-up event — [ˈkliːn.ʌp ɪˌvent] — an organised activity where people collect rubbish and make a place cleaner; sakopšanas pasākums, talka
community project — [kəˌmjuː.nə.ti ˈprɒdʒ.ekt] — an activity organised by people in the same area to improve something; kopienas projekts
encourage — [ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ] — to make someone more likely to do something good or useful; iedrošināt, mudināt
endangered species — [ɪnˌdeɪn.dʒəd ˈspiː.ʃiːz] — animals or plants that may disappear completely; apdraudētas sugas
energy-efficient — [ˌen.ə.dʒi ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt] — using less energy to do the same job; energoefektīvs
green area — [ˌɡriːn ˈeə.ri.ə] — a place with grass, trees or plants, especially in a town or city; zaļā zona, zaļā teritorija
join in — [ˌddʒɔɪn ˈɪn] — to take part in an activity with other people; iesaistīties, piedalīties
local area — [ˌləʊ.kəl ˈeə.ri.ə] — the place near where someone lives; vietējā apkārtne, vietējā teritorija
make a difference — [ˌmeɪk ə ˈdɪf.ər.əns] — to have a positive effect on a situation; radīt pozitīvas pārmaiņas
natural area — [ˌnætʃ.ər.əl ˈeə.ri.ə] — a place where plants, animals or natural features are found; dabas teritorija
neighbourhood (US: neighborhood) — [ˈneɪ.bə.hʊd] — an area of a town or city where people live; apkaime, apkārtne
protect wildlife — [prəˌtekt ˈwaɪld.laɪf] — to keep wild animals, birds, insects and plants safe from harm; aizsargāt savvaļas dabu, savvaļas dzīvniekus
protest — [ˈprəʊ.test] noun / [prəˈtest] verb — an action that shows people disagree with something; to show strong disagreement; protests, protestēt
public space — [ˌpʌb.lɪk ˈspeɪs] — a place that everyone can use, such as a park, square or street; publiska vieta, publiskā telpa
reforestation — [ˌriːˌfɒr.ɪˈsteɪ.ʃən] — planting trees again in an area where forests were cut down; mežu atjaunošana
renewables — [rɪˈnjuː.ə.bəlz] — energy sources such as sun, wind or water that can be used again and again; atjaunojamie energoresursi
take action — [ˌteɪk ˈæk.ʃən] — to do something to help solve a problem; rīkoties
take part in — [ˌteɪk ˈpɑːt ɪn] — to be involved in an activity or event; piedalīties
Revise nature vocabulary: Exploring Natural Landscapes, The Environment and Human Impact. You covered this topic in Form 8 as well: When Nature Strikes, The Story of the Earth’s Climate, Geography of the Earth: Continents, Oceans and Natural Landscapes
The prefix re- means again or back. We add it to the beginning of verbs to show that an action happens one more time. The prefix re- comes from Latin. In Latin, re- often meant “again” or “back”. That is why many English words with re- still have this meaning today.
bin — [bɪn] — a container for rubbish; atkritumu tvertne
compost — [ˈkɒm.pɒst] — old food, leaves or plants that become useful soil; komposts
packaging — [ˈpæk.ɪ.dʒɪŋ] — paper, plastic or other material used to cover products; iepakojums
recycling bin (also: recycle bin) — [ˌriːˈsaɪ.klɪŋ bɪn] — a bin for paper, plastic, glass or other materials that can be recycled; šķirošanas konteiners
rubbish (US: garbage, trash) — [ˈrʌb.ɪʃ] — things that people do not want and throw away; atkritumi
sort — [sɔːt] — to put things into different groups or types; šķirot
throw away — [ˌθrəʊ əˈweɪ] — to put something in the rubbish because you do not want it; izmest
waste — [weɪst] — things that people throw away, or using more than necessary; atkritumi, izšķērdēšana, izšķiešana
3. Saving Resources at Home
cut down on — [ˌkʌt ˈdaʊn ɒn] — to use or do less of something; samazināt, lietot mazāk
conserve — [kənˈsɜːv] — to use something carefully so that it is not wasted; taupīt, saudzēt, saglabāt
gray water — [ˈɡreɪ ˌwɔː.tər] — used water from sinks, showers or washing machines that can sometimes be used again, for example for watering plants; atkārtoti izmantojami saimniecības notekūdeņi
limit — [ˈlɪm.ɪt] — to control something so that it does not become too much; ierobežot
replace — [rɪˈpleɪs] — to use one thing instead of another; aizstāt
single-use plastic — [ˌsɪŋ.ɡəl ˌjuːs ˈplæs.tɪk] — plastic that is used once and then thrown away; vienreizlietojamā plastmasa
unplug — [ˌʌnˈplʌɡ] — to disconnect a device from electricity; atvienot no elektrības
Revise vocabulary related to home: Describing Where We Live: Vocabulary for Home Environments
4. Helping Nature and the Community
biodegradable — [ˌbaɪ.əʊ.dɪˈɡreɪ.də.bəl] — able to decay naturally and not harm the environment; biosabrūkošs
clean-up event — [ˈkliːn.ʌp ɪˌvent] — an organised activity where people collect rubbish and make a place cleaner; sakopšanas pasākums, talka
community project — [kəˌmjuː.nə.ti ˈprɒdʒ.ekt] — an activity organised by people in the same area to improve something; kopienas projekts
encourage — [ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ] — to make someone more likely to do something good or useful; iedrošināt, mudināt
endangered species — [ɪnˌdeɪn.dʒəd ˈspiː.ʃiːz] — animals or plants that may disappear completely; apdraudētas sugas
energy-efficient — [ˌen.ə.dʒi ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt] — using less energy to do the same job; energoefektīvs
green area — [ˌɡriːn ˈeə.ri.ə] — a place with grass, trees or plants, especially in a town or city; zaļā zona, zaļā teritorija
join in — [ˌddʒɔɪn ˈɪn] — to take part in an activity with other people; iesaistīties, piedalīties
local area — [ˌləʊ.kəl ˈeə.ri.ə] — the place near where someone lives; vietējā apkārtne, vietējā teritorija
make a difference — [ˌmeɪk ə ˈdɪf.ər.əns] — to have a positive effect on a situation; radīt pozitīvas pārmaiņas
natural area — [ˌnætʃ.ər.əl ˈeə.ri.ə] — a place where plants, animals or natural features are found; dabas teritorija
neighbourhood (US: neighborhood) — [ˈneɪ.bə.hʊd] — an area of a town or city where people live; apkaime, apkārtne
protect wildlife — [prəˌtekt ˈwaɪld.laɪf] — to keep wild animals, birds, insects and plants safe from harm; aizsargāt savvaļas dabu, savvaļas dzīvniekus
protest — [ˈprəʊ.test] noun / [prəˈtest] verb — an action that shows people disagree with something; to show strong disagreement; protests, protestēt
public space — [ˌpʌb.lɪk ˈspeɪs] — a place that everyone can use, such as a park, square or street; publiska vieta, publiskā telpa
reforestation — [ˌriːˌfɒr.ɪˈsteɪ.ʃən] — planting trees again in an area where forests were cut down; mežu atjaunošana
renewables — [rɪˈnjuː.ə.bəlz] — energy sources such as sun, wind or water that can be used again and again; atjaunojamie energoresursi
take action — [ˌteɪk ˈæk.ʃən] — to do something to help solve a problem; rīkoties
take part in — [ˌteɪk ˈpɑːt ɪn] — to be involved in an activity or event; piedalīties
Revise nature vocabulary: Exploring Natural Landscapes, The Environment and Human Impact. You covered this topic in Form 8 as well: When Nature Strikes, The Story of the Earth’s Climate, Geography of the Earth: Continents, Oceans and Natural Landscapes
Did you know?
1. The verb "recycle" is made from the prefix re-, meaning “again”, and the word cycle. It literally suggests that a material goes through a cycle and can be used again. The verb was first recorded in English in 1922 and was originally used mainly to describe industrial processes.
2. The verb "conserve" is one of the oldest words in this unit. It has been used in English since the 14th century. Its original meaning was “to keep something in good condition”. Today, people often use it when they talk about conserving water, energy or natural resources.
2. The verb "conserve" is one of the oldest words in this unit. It has been used in English since the 14th century. Its original meaning was “to keep something in good condition”. Today, people often use it when they talk about conserving water, energy or natural resources.
3. The familiar recycling symbol with three arrows was created in 1970 by Gary Anderson, a young student. He designed it for a competition connected with the first Earth Day. The arrows show that materials can move through a continuous cycle instead of being thrown away.
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to express concerns — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
1. What changes can people make at home to reduce the amount of energy they use?
"From my perspective, people can reduce the amount of energy they use by making a few simple changes at home. For example, they can switch off the lights when they leave a room, unplug chargers, and choose energy-efficient appliances. They can also lower the heating slightly and avoid leaving devices on standby. It’s worrying that many people still waste electricity without realising how much energy they are using. In my view, small everyday habits can make a real difference."
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by public transport?
"From my point of view, travelling by public transport has several important advantages. Buses, trains and trams can reduce traffic congestion and air pollution because many people travel together instead of using separate cars. Public transport can also be cheaper than driving, especially when fuel and parking costs are considered. It’s scary to think that city air quality may become even worse if more people choose to travel by car every day. However, public transport also has some disadvantages. It may be crowded, delayed or less convenient in rural areas where buses and trains do not run frequently. On balance, I would argue that public transport is a greener choice whenever it is reliable and easily accessible."
3. How can local communities encourage people to sort their rubbish correctly?
"In my view, local communities can encourage people to sort their rubbish correctly by making recycling as simple as possible. They should provide clearly labelled bins for paper, plastic, glass and food waste in convenient locations. Communities could also organise short information campaigns and explain what can and cannot be recycled. It frightens me that large amounts of recyclable material still end up in landfills because people are unsure where to put it. Overall, I believe that clear instructions and easy access to recycling bins can help people develop better habits."
4. Should shops charge customers for plastic bags and disposable packaging? Why or why not?
"From my perspective, shops should charge customers for plastic bags and disposable packaging because this can encourage people to bring reusable alternatives. When bags and containers are provided free of charge, customers may take more than they actually need. Plastic waste is a cause for great concern, as it can remain in the environment for many years and harm wildlife. However, shops should also offer affordable eco-friendly options, such as reusable bags or recyclable packaging. On the whole, I would argue that a small charge can help people become more aware of their everyday choices."
5. Do you think governments should do more to promote renewable energy? Explain your answer.
"In my opinion, governments should do more to promote renewable energy because countries need to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. They could invest in solar and wind power, support the development of energy-efficient technologies, and make greener solutions more affordable for households. Climate change is a cause for great concern, and continuing to rely heavily on coal, oil and gas may make the problem even worse. Admittedly, renewable energy projects can be expensive at first. Nevertheless, I strongly believe that investing in clean energy is essential for a more sustainable future."
Key vocabulary:
If you want to express concerns or worries, you can use phrases such as:
It’s worrying that… — used to say that a situation makes you feel concerned because it may cause problems; ir satraucoši, ka…
It frightens me… — used to express a stronger personal fear about a problem or its possible consequences; mani biedē tas, ka… / mani biedē doma, ka…
... is a cause for great concern — used to say that an issue is serious and should not be ignored. This phrase is more formal; … rada lielas bažas. / … ir nopietns iemesls bažām
It’s scary to think that… — used to express worry about a possible future situation or a difficult fact; ir satraucoši apzināties, ka…
It’s worrying that… — used to say that a situation makes you feel concerned because it may cause problems; ir satraucoši, ka…
It frightens me… — used to express a stronger personal fear about a problem or its possible consequences; mani biedē tas, ka… / mani biedē doma, ka…
... is a cause for great concern — used to say that an issue is serious and should not be ignored. This phrase is more formal; … rada lielas bažas. / … ir nopietns iemesls bažām
It’s scary to think that… — used to express worry about a possible future situation or a difficult fact; ir satraucoši apzināties, ka…