Environmental Issues

Talking about the planet

Greek is written in the Greek alphabet, and this module gives you the core words to talk about the environment. You will learn the key terms, from το περιβάλλον (to perivallon), the environment, to η ανακύκλωση (i anakyklosi), recycling, then practise recognising them before writing about an environmental issue in English.

The environment, pollution, recycling

Learn these terms. Each shows the Greek word, the transliteration, and the meaning:

Match each word to its meaning

What i rypansi means in Greek

What does the Greek word η ρύπανση (i rypansi) mean in English?

• Pollution
• Recycling
• The environment
• Global warming

Words for the exam

Two terms here are Higher-tier vocabulary: το φαινόμενο του θερμοκηπίου (to fainomeno tou thermokipiou), global warming, and το είδος προς εξαφάνιση (to eidos pros exafanisi), an endangered species. Both describe serious environmental problems. The first names the greenhouse effect, and the second describes an animal or plant at risk of disappearing.

Which are about the environment?

Select the TWO Greek words that are about the environment.

• η ανακύκλωση (i anakyklosi)
• η ρύπανση (i rypansi)
• το βιβλίο (to vivlio)
• το εισιτήριο (to eisitirio)

Problems and actions

Some words name environmental problems; others name what we can do to help.

Environment words in Greek

The world around us is the _____. Dirty air and water are called _____. Sorting waste so it can be used again is _____. The planet heating up is _____. Materials from nature, like water and wood, are _____.

Spot the environment words

Tap the TWO Greek words that are about the environment.

• η ανακύκλωση (i anakyklosi)
• το βιβλίο (to vivlio)
• η ρύπανση (i rypansi)
• το εισιτήριο (to eisitirio)
• το σπίτι (to spiti)

Choose the right word

Which Greek word means 'recycling'?

• η ανακύκλωση (i anakyklosi)
• η ρύπανση (i rypansi)
• το περιβάλλον (to perivallon)
• το βιβλίο (to vivlio)

Writing about the environment

You can now recognise the key words. In the exam you might write about an environmental issue, and you can weave these terms in. A strong answer names a problem (such as η ρύπανση, pollution, or το φαινόμενο του θερμοκηπίου, global warming) and a solution (such as η ανακύκλωση, recycling, or προστατεύω, to protect).

Greek builds the sentence its own way

The environment words become sentences with είναι (is) and γιατί (because). A grade-9 answer never stops at the claim: - Η ανακύκλωση είναι σημαντική = "recycling is important". σημαντική ends in -η because ανακύκλωση is feminine. For a neuter noun you would say το περιβάλλον είναι σημαντικό. - Προστατεύω το περιβάλλον γιατί είναι σημαντικό = "I protect the environment because it is important". γιατί (because) joins the reason to the claim, and σημαντικό now ends in -ο to match περιβάλλον, which is neuter.

A Greek adjective changes to match its noun

A Greek adjective changes to match its noun. Which of these says "recycling is important"?

• Η ανακύκλωση είναι σημαντική
• Η ανακύκλωση είναι σημαντικό
• Η ανακύκλωση σημαντική
• Προστατεύω το περιβάλλον γιατί είναι σημαντικό

Help the environment

Three ways to help the environment. Choose the best action each time.

• You want to reduce η ρύπανση (pollution) in your town. What helps?
• You want to practise η ανακύκλωση (recycling) at home. What should you do?
• You want to help a το είδος προς εξαφάνιση (endangered species). What fits?

Write about an issue, in Greek

Name the issue and an action IN GREEK, then add ONE sentence in English saying why it matters. Write the Greek in script - the transliteration in brackets is a reading aid only.

• Name the issue: η ρύπανση (i rypansi - pollution)
• Name what it affects: το περιβάλλον (to perivallon - the environment) or οι φυσικοί πόροι (i fysikoi poroi - natural resources)
• Name an action: η ανακύκλωση (i anakyklosi - recycling), or the verb προστατεύω (prostatevo - to protect)
• Then, in English only, say why this issue matters