Climate change and environmental issues are massive topics for your... Show more
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Updated Mar 22, 2026
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Understanding Climate Change and Global Challenges
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Environment, Climate Change, and Global Issues
Getting your head around environmental Spanish might seem daunting, but loads of these words are cognates - they look similar to English, which makes your life easier. The tricky bit is nailing the pronunciation and gender of nouns.
Watch out for sneaky masculine nouns like el problema and el planeta - they end in 'a' but they're still masculine! Key terms you absolutely need to know include el medio ambiente (environment), el cambio climático (climate change), and la contaminación (pollution).
Remember: La contaminación is a big one that comes up constantly - it can refer to air pollution (del aire) or water pollution (del agua).
Quick Tip: Most of these environmental terms are cognates, so focus on getting the gender and pronunciation spot-on rather than memorising completely new words.
Problems and Causes - The Negative Side
Here's where you learn to talk about what's going wrong with our planet. Deforestation (la deforestación), droughts (la sequía), and floods (las inundaciones) are your go-to disaster vocabulary.
Don't forget about human-caused problems like consumerism (el consumismo) and fossil fuels (los combustibles fósiles). These include petrol (el petróleo) and coal (el carbón). Wastefulness translates to either el malgasto or el derroche.
Endangered species (las especies en peligro de extinción) is a mouthful, but it's crucial for discussing biodiversity. The greenhouse effect (el efecto invernadero) and greenhouse gases (los gases de efecto invernadero) are essential for climate discussions.
Exam Alert: These problem-focused terms are perfect for setting up arguments in opinion pieces - you need to identify issues before proposing solutions.
Individual Solutions - What You Can Do
Now for the positive stuff! The three Rs (las tres erres) are your foundation: reducir (reduce), reutilizar (reuse), and reciclar (recycle). You can recycle glass (el vidrio), paper (el papel), and plastic (el plástico).
Simple actions make great exam material: ahorrar (save) water and electricity, desenchufar (unplug) electrical appliances, and usar el transporte público (use public transport). Going local works too - comprar productos locales (buy local products).
Planting trees (plantar árboles) and raising awareness (concienciar a los demás) show you're thinking beyond just personal actions. Avoiding single-use products (evitar los productos de un solo uso) is very current.
Writing Tip: Use these individual actions when discussing what "we" or "young people" can do - perfect for opinion piece conclusions.
Government and Global Solutions
Governments need to encourage renewable energy (fomentar las energías renovables) - specifically solar (la energía solar), wind (la energía eólica), and hydroelectric (la energía hidroeléctrica) power. These are exam gold.
Investing in public transport (invertir en el transporte público) and protecting forests (proteger los bosques y las selvas) are major policy moves. Governments can also impose stricter laws (imponer leyes más estrictas) against polluting companies.
Fining litterers (multar a la gente que tira basura) and educating young people (educar a los jóvenes) about environmental protection show different approaches. Use these when discussing what governments "should do" or "must do".
Grammar Alert: These government actions work brilliantly with "Es necesario que..." + subjunctive - you're showing off complex grammar whilst discussing solutions.
Building Complex Sentences
Right, this is where you move from knowing vocabulary to actually impressing examiners. Combining problems with causes makes your Spanish sound sophisticated: "La contaminación del aire es causada principalmente por el tráfico" (Air pollution is caused mainly by traffic).
"Hay que" + infinitive is your best friend for suggestions. "Para combatir el cambio climático, hay que reducir nuestra dependencia de los combustibles fósiles" (To fight climate change, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels).
The subjunctive after opinion expressions shows advanced grammar. "Es esencial que el gobierno tome medidas urgentes" (It's essential that the government takes urgent measures). Notice how "tomar" becomes "tome" - that's the subjunctive working.
Exam Success: Don't just list vocabulary - weave it into complex sentences using these structures to show you can actually use Spanish, not just memorise it.
Grammar Points and Useful Phrases
Ser vs. estar trips loads of students up. Use ser for general descriptions: "La deforestación es un problema global." Use estar for current states: "El río está contaminado."
Master these connecting phrases for opinion pieces: Para empezar (to begin with), además (furthermore), sin embargo (however), and para concluir (to conclude). These structure your arguments properly.
The subjunctive appears after expressions like "Es importante que..." and "Es necesario que..." Remember it shows necessity or opinion, not facts. "Es una lástima que haya tanta basura" uses "haya" (subjunctive of "hay").
Quick Check: If you can use "Es importante que..." + subjunctive with environmental vocabulary, you're showing both advanced grammar and topic knowledge - exactly what examiners want to see.
Exam Essentials - Your Quick Revision List
Here's your last-minute survival kit. Know these terms and you can handle most environmental questions: el medio ambiente, el cambio climático, la contaminación, las energías renovables, and proteger.
Master these key phrases: "Es importante que..." , "Debemos..." , and "Hay que..." . They're your go-to structures for expressing opinions and solutions.
Don't forget the key players: el gobierno (government), los jóvenes (young people), el planeta (planet), and el futuro (future). These give you the "who" and "why" for your environmental arguments.
Final Tip: Practice combining these essentials into flowing sentences - that's what separates good answers from great ones in your Leaving Cert exam.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
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Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Climate Change and Global Challenges
Climate change and environmental issues are massive topics for your Leaving Cert Spanish - they pop up everywhere from oral exams to opinion pieces. Mastering the vocabulary and being able to form proper sentences with it is your key to... Show more
Environment, Climate Change, and Global Issues
Getting your head around environmental Spanish might seem daunting, but loads of these words are cognates - they look similar to English, which makes your life easier. The tricky bit is nailing the pronunciation and gender of nouns.
Watch out for sneaky masculine nouns like el problema and el planeta - they end in 'a' but they're still masculine! Key terms you absolutely need to know include el medio ambiente (environment), el cambio climático (climate change), and la contaminación (pollution).
Remember: La contaminación is a big one that comes up constantly - it can refer to air pollution (del aire) or water pollution (del agua).
Quick Tip: Most of these environmental terms are cognates, so focus on getting the gender and pronunciation spot-on rather than memorising completely new words.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Problems and Causes - The Negative Side
Here's where you learn to talk about what's going wrong with our planet. Deforestation (la deforestación), droughts (la sequía), and floods (las inundaciones) are your go-to disaster vocabulary.
Don't forget about human-caused problems like consumerism (el consumismo) and fossil fuels (los combustibles fósiles). These include petrol (el petróleo) and coal (el carbón). Wastefulness translates to either el malgasto or el derroche.
Endangered species (las especies en peligro de extinción) is a mouthful, but it's crucial for discussing biodiversity. The greenhouse effect (el efecto invernadero) and greenhouse gases (los gases de efecto invernadero) are essential for climate discussions.
Exam Alert: These problem-focused terms are perfect for setting up arguments in opinion pieces - you need to identify issues before proposing solutions.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Individual Solutions - What You Can Do
Now for the positive stuff! The three Rs (las tres erres) are your foundation: reducir (reduce), reutilizar (reuse), and reciclar (recycle). You can recycle glass (el vidrio), paper (el papel), and plastic (el plástico).
Simple actions make great exam material: ahorrar (save) water and electricity, desenchufar (unplug) electrical appliances, and usar el transporte público (use public transport). Going local works too - comprar productos locales (buy local products).
Planting trees (plantar árboles) and raising awareness (concienciar a los demás) show you're thinking beyond just personal actions. Avoiding single-use products (evitar los productos de un solo uso) is very current.
Writing Tip: Use these individual actions when discussing what "we" or "young people" can do - perfect for opinion piece conclusions.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Government and Global Solutions
Governments need to encourage renewable energy (fomentar las energías renovables) - specifically solar (la energía solar), wind (la energía eólica), and hydroelectric (la energía hidroeléctrica) power. These are exam gold.
Investing in public transport (invertir en el transporte público) and protecting forests (proteger los bosques y las selvas) are major policy moves. Governments can also impose stricter laws (imponer leyes más estrictas) against polluting companies.
Fining litterers (multar a la gente que tira basura) and educating young people (educar a los jóvenes) about environmental protection show different approaches. Use these when discussing what governments "should do" or "must do".
Grammar Alert: These government actions work brilliantly with "Es necesario que..." + subjunctive - you're showing off complex grammar whilst discussing solutions.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Building Complex Sentences
Right, this is where you move from knowing vocabulary to actually impressing examiners. Combining problems with causes makes your Spanish sound sophisticated: "La contaminación del aire es causada principalmente por el tráfico" (Air pollution is caused mainly by traffic).
"Hay que" + infinitive is your best friend for suggestions. "Para combatir el cambio climático, hay que reducir nuestra dependencia de los combustibles fósiles" (To fight climate change, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels).
The subjunctive after opinion expressions shows advanced grammar. "Es esencial que el gobierno tome medidas urgentes" (It's essential that the government takes urgent measures). Notice how "tomar" becomes "tome" - that's the subjunctive working.
Exam Success: Don't just list vocabulary - weave it into complex sentences using these structures to show you can actually use Spanish, not just memorise it.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Grammar Points and Useful Phrases
Ser vs. estar trips loads of students up. Use ser for general descriptions: "La deforestación es un problema global." Use estar for current states: "El río está contaminado."
Master these connecting phrases for opinion pieces: Para empezar (to begin with), además (furthermore), sin embargo (however), and para concluir (to conclude). These structure your arguments properly.
The subjunctive appears after expressions like "Es importante que..." and "Es necesario que..." Remember it shows necessity or opinion, not facts. "Es una lástima que haya tanta basura" uses "haya" (subjunctive of "hay").
Quick Check: If you can use "Es importante que..." + subjunctive with environmental vocabulary, you're showing both advanced grammar and topic knowledge - exactly what examiners want to see.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Exam Essentials - Your Quick Revision List
Here's your last-minute survival kit. Know these terms and you can handle most environmental questions: el medio ambiente, el cambio climático, la contaminación, las energías renovables, and proteger.
Master these key phrases: "Es importante que..." , "Debemos..." , and "Hay que..." . They're your go-to structures for expressing opinions and solutions.
Don't forget the key players: el gobierno (government), los jóvenes (young people), el planeta (planet), and el futuro (future). These give you the "who" and "why" for your environmental arguments.
Final Tip: Practice combining these essentials into flowing sentences - that's what separates good answers from great ones in your Leaving Cert exam.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user