adjective
1Relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition.
‘acid rain may have caused major environmental damage’
- ‘Now that is the most significant environmental impact that humans can have on the planet.’
- ‘There are also issues of its environmental impact, but it is nevertheless likely to be important.’
- ‘In recent years, he has become as famous for his campaigning on environmental and human rights issues as for his music.’
- ‘Trade should be conditional upon minimum environmental and human rights standards.’
- ‘For the first time, environmental issues are at the heart of widespread popular activity.’
- ‘Operators, public or private, have a clear responsibility to cause the minimum environmental impact.’
- ‘Such are our numbers that almost inevitably waste, environmental impact and species extinction follow.’
- ‘The alliance cites a variety of environmental and economic impacts in support of their position.’
- ‘Councillors say that option would have less visual and environmental impact.’
- ‘The consultants will then undertake an environmental impact report on behalf of the Council.’
- ‘Their achievement is to have overcome being labelled cranks to make a real impact on the crucial environmental debate.’
- ‘From an environmental, planning or human viewpoint this proposal is unacceptable.’
- ‘Watch groups are run by willing and enthusiastic volunteers who organise the environmental activities.’
- ‘Ironically, the principal lobby against completion of the road is its negative environmental impact.’
- ‘Some EU countries are arguing that environmental degradation is a hidden subsidy on cheap exports.’
- ‘In late June, state officials halved their ambitious plans and added new environmental protections to the leases.’
- ‘The typical industrial sectors with relatively high environmental impact continue to lead in reporting.’
- ‘They knew this was illegal, so publicly they said the meetings were about issues such as environmental protection.’
- ‘They both concluded that there was very little difference in overall environmental impact.’
- ‘They also identified militarism as the cause of much environmental degradation.’
natural, atmospheric, meteorological, environmental
- 1.1Aiming or designed to promote the protection of the natural world.
- ‘The former team proposed the most overtly environmental design of any of the finalists.’
- ‘It is part of efforts to promote environmental and economic redevelopment in the area.’
- ‘Student environmental activists were delighted by the news of the University's decision.’
- ‘An environmental activist found a place in this list along with quite a few history sheeters.’
- ‘It was the first time environmental activists had been sent to prison, and it really inspired people.’
- ‘I am one of those environmental activists who recognise we live on a planet of finite resources.’
- ‘As environmental groups have long stressed, the government cannot build its way out of congestion.’
2Relating to or arising from a person's surroundings.
- ‘A large proportion of the rhythmically regulated genes also directly respond to environmental stress.’
- ‘The same applies to the meridian programmes and to the specific environmental stresses, colours and trauma.’
- ‘Chilling temperature is one of the most studied environmental factors in plant stress physiology research.’
- ‘All plants display this ability to tolerate environmental stress to varying degrees.’
- ‘By amplifying speech or environmental noise, hearing aids can also be effective in many cases.’
- ‘High salinity is one of the most important environmental stresses impeding crop growth.’
- ‘Plants are continually exposed to environmental fluctuations that lead to oxidative stress.’
- ‘Drought is an environmental factor that produces water deficit or water stress in plants.’
- ‘In my experience the worst environmental factor is fine dust.’
- ‘Allow the flooring to adjust to its new environmental conditions before you start the installation.’
- ‘Rapid phenotypic changes are expected to occur in invasive species in response to new environmental conditions.’
- ‘A number of genes as well as environmental factors also may play a role.’
- ‘Leaf ageing has a significant effect on photosynthesis even when environmental factors do not change.’
- ‘Human health is heavily dependent on lifestyle habits and environmental conditions.’