Vocabulary, Idioms & Expressions (VIE)

EnvironmentEnvironment

The heavens open

An expression to indicate that a sudden heavy rain has occurred.

As soon as the race started, the heavens opened and the runners were soaked.

11 April 2012

Biodegradable

Capable of being broken down by natural biological processes.

Many chemicals are biodegradable but plastics generally are not.

Carbon footprint

A measure of the effect that human activities have on the climate.

A sure way to reduce our carbon footprint is to refrain from using personal vehicles by utilising public transport.

Biotechnology

The application of technology to the study of living things for research.

Biotechnology will be an important aspect of the economy with the Government setting aside $5 billion per year for biotechnological research.

12 April 2012

Lull before the storm

A period of unnatural calm before a difficult activity.

The sales will start on January 1st. The quiet period before that is just the lull before the storm.

Climate change

Changes in weather patterns.

Climate changes can be caused both by natural forces and human activities.

13 April 2012

16 April 2012

A storm is brewing

To foresee that there is going to be trouble.

As soon as we saw Pete's face, we knew there was a storm brewing.

Bycatch

Fish and other marine life that are incidentally caught with the targeted species.

Fishermen usually dispose bycatch like dolphins and sea turtles back to the sea while trawling for big fish species like tuna.

17 April 2012

Come rain or shine

Do an action regularly.

He goes to the gym club every day, come rain or shine.

Carbon tax

A charge on fossil fuels based on their carbon content.

Governments all over the world agree that our carbon footprint has to be reduced but many are weary of imposing high carbon tax on their citizens.

18 April 2012

The eye of the storm

Deeply involved in a controversial situation.

The minister was often in the eye of the storm during the debate on the war in Iraq.

Green design

An architectural design that conforms to environmentally sound principles of building, material and energy use.

A building can be considered green design when builders make use of solar panels, skylights, and recycled building materials.

19 April 2012

Make hay while the sun shines

To take advantage of a good situation which may not last

Successful sportsmen are advised to make hay while the sun shines.

Malthusian

Population that tends to increase faster than food supply which will lead to war, famine and disease.

We must strive to stabilise the growing world population in order to avoid a future Malthusian world.

20 April 2012

Weather the storm

Succeed in surviving a difficult period or situation

Given the current recession, the company is weathering the storm better than some others.

Fossil fuels

Fuels that are formed in the ground from the remains of dead plants and animals.

Fossil fuels are not a renewable resource. Once consumed, they are gone forever.

24 April 2012

The tide has turned

A change of trend from one thing to another.

Before, people wanted to live in residential suburbs; now the tide has turned and warehouses are becoming fashionable.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap the sun’s heat in the earth's atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.

25 April 2012

Cloud on the horizon

A problem or difficulty that is predictable in the near future.

They are happily married and for the moment, there appears to be no clouds on the horizon.

Sustainable development

Economic development which ensures that the use of resources today does not compromise the needs of future generations.

“We are not saying no to progress. Rather, what we are demanding is a sensible approach to progress - sustainable development.”