Glossary
Air Pollution
The presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, often caused by industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust, which negatively impacts human health and the environment.
Example:
On smoggy days in Milan, the Air Pollution can be so thick you can almost taste it, making it hard to breathe.
Banning Plastics
The implementation of policies or laws to prohibit or restrict the use of certain plastic products, especially single-use items, to reduce plastic pollution.
Example:
Many Italian towns are actively Banning Plastics like single-use bags to protect their beautiful coastlines.
Carbon Emission Reduction
The process of decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds released into the atmosphere, primarily from human activities like burning fossil fuels.
Example:
Italy's commitment to Carbon Emission Reduction is evident in its efforts to promote renewable energy sources.
Clean Energy
Energy derived from renewable, zero-emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
Example:
Italy is investing heavily in Clean Energy sources like solar panels to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Climate Change
A long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns, encompassing global warming and its broader impacts like extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and changes in precipitation patterns.
Example:
The increasing frequency of intense droughts and floods in Italy is a direct consequence of Climate Change.
Depurare
To purify; to remove contaminants from something, especially water or air.
Example:
New technologies are being developed to Depurare polluted industrial wastewater before it's released.
Fondo per la mobilità sostenibile
An Italian fund dedicated to co-funding projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, particularly in the transport sector, promoting eco-friendly vehicles and low-impact fuels.
Example:
Thanks to the Fondo per la mobilità sostenibile, more electric buses are appearing in Italian cities, making public transport greener.
Global Conferences
International meetings where representatives from various countries gather to discuss and address shared environmental challenges, aiming to raise awareness and promote collective action.
Example:
Attending Global Conferences allows nations to share best practices and commit to joint environmental goals.
Global Warming
The long-term heating of Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.
Example:
The melting glaciers in the Alps are a stark reminder of the ongoing Global Warming affecting our planet.
I rifiuti
Garbage/Waste; unwanted or unusable materials, typically discarded.
Example:
Sorting I rifiuti into different bins for recycling is a common practice in Italy.
Il riciclaggio
Recycling; the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects.
Example:
Practicing Il riciclaggio at home helps reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Industrial Pollution
Environmental contamination, particularly of air and water, resulting from industrial activities and manufacturing processes, often concentrated in highly industrialized regions.
Example:
Northern Italy faces significant challenges from Industrial Pollution due to its dense manufacturing sector.
Inquinare
To pollute; to make something, especially water or the atmosphere, dirty and harmful.
Example:
Factories that Inquinare the air face strict penalties from environmental agencies.
International Agreements
Formal treaties or accords between multiple countries designed to address global environmental issues through coordinated actions and shared commitments.
Example:
The Paris Climate Accords are a key example of International Agreements aimed at combating climate change.
Kyoto Protocol
An international treaty adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997, that committed industrialized countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Example:
The Kyoto Protocol was an early attempt by nations to collectively tackle the issue of global warming.
L'ambientalista
Environmentalist; a person who is concerned with or advocates for the protection of the environment.
Example:
My aunt is a passionate L'ambientalista who organizes beach clean-ups every month.
L'ambiente
Environment; the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.
Example:
Protecting L'ambiente is a responsibility we all share for future generations.
L'ecologia
Ecology; the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Example:
Studying L'ecologia helps us understand how different species interact within an ecosystem.
L'effetto serra
Greenhouse effect; the trapping of the sun's warmth in a planet's lower atmosphere due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to visible radiation from the sun than to infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface.
Example:
Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere intensifies L'effetto serra, leading to warmer global temperatures.
L'inquinamento
Pollution; the presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
Example:
L'inquinamento acustico, or noise pollution, is a growing concern in busy cities.
La fascia dell'ozono
Ozone layer; a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.
Example:
Protecting La fascia dell'ozono is vital for preventing harmful UV rays from reaching us.
Montreal Protocol
An international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
Example:
The Montreal Protocol is widely considered one of the most successful environmental treaties for its role in healing the ozone layer.
Ozone Layer Depletion
The thinning of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere, primarily due to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine, leading to increased harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface.
Example:
Scientists worked globally to reverse Ozone Layer Depletion by phasing out harmful chemicals, showing international cooperation can make a difference.
Paris Climate Accords
A legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Example:
Under the Paris Climate Accords, countries set their own targets for reducing emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.
Plastic Pollution
The accumulation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans, particularly prevalent in marine ecosystems.
Example:
Divers often find the Mediterranean Sea choked with Plastic Pollution, harming marine life and ecosystems.
Protecting Endangered Species
Efforts and strategies aimed at conserving and increasing the populations of animal and plant species that are at risk of extinction.
Example:
Italy's national parks are dedicated to Protecting Endangered Species like the Marsican brown bear.
Scaricare
To dump; to dispose of waste, often illegally or improperly, by dropping or emptying it.
Example:
It is illegal to Scaricare trash in natural parks, as it harms the wildlife and environment.
Supporting NGOs
Providing financial, logistical, or volunteer assistance to Non-Governmental Organizations that work on environmental advocacy, conservation, and sustainable development.
Example:
Supporting NGOs like Greenpeace allows students to contribute to environmental causes beyond their local community.
Sustainable Agriculture
Farming practices that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible, aiming to meet society’s food and textile needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Example:
Many Italian farms are adopting Sustainable Agriculture techniques to preserve soil health and reduce water usage.
Sustainable Fishing
Fishing methods that ensure the long-term viability of fish stocks and marine ecosystems, avoiding overfishing and minimizing environmental damage.
Example:
To preserve the bounty of the Mediterranean, local fishermen are learning about Sustainable Fishing practices.
Waste Management
The processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal, including collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste, along with monitoring and regulation.
Example:
Effective Waste Management is crucial for Italian cities to prevent landfills from overflowing and reduce environmental impact.
Water Pollution
The contamination of water bodies, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater, typically by plastics, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff, making the water unsafe for use.
Example:
Swimming in some coastal areas is restricted due to Water Pollution, a sad consequence of improper waste disposal.