Climate and Environment Vocabulary Challenge

6. When oceans become more acidic due to absorbing too much carbon dioxide.
8. A chemical element found in all living things and released when burning fuels.
9. Turning waste into something new and usable instead of throwing it away.
10. The presence of harmful substances in the air, water, or soil.
13. The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth and protects it from harmful rays.
14. The gradual wearing away of soil or rock by wind, water, or other natural forces.
16. A greenhouse gas often produced by cows or decaying plants.
19. Meeting current needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
20. The cutting down of trees in a large area, often for farming or building.

1. A powerful storm with strong winds that forms over warm ocean waters.
2. The growth of cities as people move in from rural areas.
3. Remains of ancient plants or animals, often used as a type of fuel.
4. The variety of plants, animals, and other living things in a particular area.
5. A long period of time with little or no rain.
7. A structure made of glass used for growing plants; also describes gases that trap heat on Earth.
11. When large amounts of water cover land that is usually dry.
12. A measure of how hot or cold something is.
15. A large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth’s surface.
17. Gases or substances released into the air, often from vehicles or factories.
18. A type of energy or resource that can be replaced naturally, like wind or solar power.