Vocabulary
Ecological footprint
An ecological footprint is a way of measuring how much of the Earth's resources a person or country uses to live their lifestyle. For example, the ecological footprint of each Australian is much larger than the world average, meaning we need more land and resources to support the way we live.
Emissions
Emissions are gases and particles released into the air, usually by cars, factories or when burning fossil fuels. These emissions can harm the environment, for example, carbon dioxide released from cars adds to the greenhouse effect and affects our ecological footprint.
Energy use
Energy use is about how much electricity or fuel we use for everyday things like turning on lights, using computers, or driving cars. For example, leaving the lights on when you leave a room increases the amount of energy you use and your environmental footprint.
Sustainable
Sustainable means using resources in a way that doesn’t damage the planet or use up everything so there’s none left for future generations. For example, riding a bike instead of driving a car helps the environment and is a more sustainable choice.
Waste
Waste is anything we throw away because we no longer need it, like food scraps, packaging, or old clothes. For example, throwing away plastic bottles creates waste, which can add to your environmental footprint.