Environment & Climate Change Vocabulary:英検1級ボキャブラリー（環境・気候変動）【30語厳選】

はじめに｜英検1級における「環境・気候変動」語彙の重要性

環境・気候変動は、英検1級において
最も「1級らしさ」が問われるテーマの一つである。

この分野では、単に
environment / pollution / global warming
といった一般語彙を知っているだけでは不十分であり、

• 科学的概念を表す抽象語彙

• 政策・国際協定に関する制度語彙

• 長期的影響や倫理を論じる思考語彙

を、文脈の中で正確に理解できるかが問われる。

実際の英検1級では、

• 語彙問題：
  学術・政策文脈でしか使われない名詞・形容詞が頻出

• 長文読解：
  国連報告書、政府声明、研究ベースの英文が出題される

• 英作文・面接：
  気候変動を「意見＋根拠＋評価語彙」で語れるかが評価対象

となっており、
環境語彙＝暗記科目ではなく、思考と言語運用の科目である。

---

このコンテンツの目的

本コンテンツでは、英検1級対策として

• 出題可能性が高い語彙のみを厳選

• 準1級〜日常英語レベルの語を意図的に排除

• 読解・英作文・面接すべてに転用可能な語彙に限定

した 30語の「環境・気候変動」英検1級ボキャブラリーを扱う。

ここで扱う語彙は、

• 英検1級の合否を左右する

• TOEFL / IELTS / 国際ニュース理解にも直結する

• 将来的に「知的英語」を使い続けるための基礎資産になる

という性質を持つ。

---

学習上の前提

本コンテンツは以下の前提で設計されている。

• すでに基礎英語力（準1級〜上級）はある

• 丸暗記ではなく「文脈理解」を重視したい

• 英検1級を「資格」で終わらせず、実用に接続したい

そのため、
**語彙の量よりも「質・抽象度・再利用性」**を最優先している。

---

① Climate Change & Global Warming（気候変動・温暖化）

1. anthropogenic
   　人為的な（特に人間活動による環境影響）
   　Anthropogenic climate change is widely accepted by scientists.

2. carbon sequestration
   　炭素隔離（CO₂を吸収・固定すること）
   　Forests play a key role in carbon sequestration.

3. radiative forcing
   　放射強制力（地球のエネルギーバランスに与える影響）
   　Greenhouse gases increase radiative forcing.

4. climatic anomaly
   　気候異常
   　The heatwave was described as a climatic anomaly.

5. irreversible warming
   　不可逆的温暖化
   　Some scientists warn of irreversible warming.

6. tipping point
   　転換点・臨界点
   　The climate system may be approaching a tipping point.

---

② Environmental Degradation & Pollution（環境破壊・汚染）

7. environmental degradation
   　環境悪化・環境破壊
   　Rapid industrialization led to environmental degradation.

8. biodiversity loss
   　生物多様性の喪失
   　Biodiversity loss threatens ecosystem stability.

9. toxic runoff
   　有害流出（農薬・化学物質など）
   　Toxic runoff contaminates nearby rivers.

10. bioaccumulation
    　生物濃縮
    　Mercury bioaccumulation affects marine life.

11. ecosystem collapse
    　生態系崩壊
    　Overfishing can trigger ecosystem collapse.

12. habitat fragmentation
    　生息地の分断
    　Urban expansion causes habitat fragmentation.

---

③ Sustainability & Resource Management（持続可能性・資源管理）

13. sustainability
    　持続可能性
    　Economic growth must align with sustainability.

14. resource depletion
    　資源枯渇
    　Unchecked consumption accelerates resource depletion.

15. renewable integration
    　再生可能エネルギーの統合
    　Renewable integration requires infrastructure upgrades.

16. circular economy
    　循環型経済
    　A circular economy reduces waste and emissions.

17. energy transition
    　エネルギー転換
    　Many countries are undergoing an energy transition.

18. water scarcity
    　水不足
    　Climate change exacerbates water scarcity.

---

④ Policy, Regulation & International Response（政策・国際対応）

19. regulatory framework
    　規制の枠組み
    　A strong regulatory framework is essential.

20. carbon pricing
    　炭素価格制度
    　Carbon pricing incentivizes emission reductions.

21. international accord
    　国際協定
    　The Paris Agreement is a major international accord.

22. policy compliance
    　政策遵守
    　Industries must ensure policy compliance.

23. environmental governance
    　環境ガバナンス
    　Environmental governance varies by country.

24. emissions target
    　排出目標
    　The government missed its emissions target.

---

⑤ Consequences, Ethics & Long-Term Impact（影響・倫理・将来）

25. long-term repercussions
    　長期的影響
    　Climate inaction has long-term repercussions.

26. intergenerational equity
    　世代間公平性
    　Climate policy raises issues of intergenerational equity.

27. ethical responsibility
    　倫理的責任
    　Corporations have ethical responsibility to act.

28. climate resilience
    　気候レジリエンス（回復力）
    　Cities must improve climate resilience.

29. mitigation strategy
    　緩和戦略
    　Mitigation strategies aim to reduce emissions.

30. adaptation measures
    　適応策
    　Coastal regions need adaptation measures.

---

英検1級対策ポイント（この30語の使い方）

• 語彙問題：
  名詞の抽象度・政策文脈を意識

• 長文読解：
  国連報告書・学術寄り英文での即時認識

• 英作文・面接：
  mitigation / adaptation / governance は高評価語彙

---

英検1級 語彙問題（Environment & Climate Change）

問題 1

Scientists warn that continued greenhouse gas emissions may push the planet beyond a climatic (　　　), after which recovery becomes extremely difficult.

A. anomaly
B. transition
C. tipping point
D. framework

---

問題 2

The government introduced carbon (　　　) to encourage industries to reduce emissions by attaching a financial cost to pollution.

A. sequestration
B. pricing
C. runoff
D. resilience

---

問題 3

Deforestation accelerates biodiversity loss and increases the risk of complete ecosystem (　　　).

A. fragmentation
B. governance
C. collapse
D. compliance

---

問題 4

Climate change raises concerns about intergenerational (　　　), as future generations will bear the consequences of today’s decisions.

A. resilience
B. responsibility
C. equity
D. scarcity

---

問題 5

Mercury contamination in oceans leads to bio(　　　), posing serious risks to human health through seafood consumption.

A. degradation
B. accumulation
C. mitigation
D. integration

---

問題 6

Many countries are pursuing an energy (　　　) from fossil fuels to renewable sources.

A. anomaly
B. transition
C. depletion
D. adaptation

---

問題 7

Unchecked industrial activity has resulted in severe environmental (　　　) in many developing regions.

A. governance
B. degradation
C. resilience
D. compliance

---

問題 8

To meet international emissions targets, governments must implement effective mitigation (　　　).

A. measures
B. responsibility
C. runoff
D. repercussions

---

問題 9

Urban expansion often causes habitat (　　　), making it difficult for wildlife to survive.

A. collapse
B. fragmentation
C. scarcity
D. pricing

---

問題 10

Climate adaptation (　　　) are especially urgent for low-lying coastal communities.

A. frameworks
B. anomalies
C. measures
D. accords

---

解答・解説

1. C. tipping point
   　→ 英検1級頻出の抽象科学語彙

2. B. pricing
   　→ carbon pricing は政策文脈の定番

3. C. collapse
   　→ ecosystem collapse はセットで覚える

4. C. equity
   　→ 倫理・社会問題で非常に出やすい

5. B. accumulation
   　→ bioaccumulation は学術系定番語

6. B. transition
   　→ energy transition は超重要コロケーション

7. B. degradation
   　→ 抽象名詞としての使用が鍵

8. A. measures
   　→ mitigation measures は頻出表現

9. B. fragmentation
   　→ 環境＋都市化文脈

10. C. measures
    　→ adaptation measures は1級定番ペア

---

英検1級的な見方（重要）

• 正解語は 単語単体ではなく「塊（コロケーション）」

• 選択肢には「意味が近いが文脈が違う語」を混ぜてくる

• 抽象名詞を正確に選べるか が1級の壁

---

英検1級 長文読解｜Environment & Climate Change 実戦例

長文サンプル①（国際報告書タイプ）

Climate change is increasingly recognized as an anthropogenic phenomenon driven primarily by greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists caution that the climate system may be approaching a critical tipping point, beyond which irreversible warming could occur.

In addition to rising temperatures, the planet is experiencing accelerated biodiversity loss and widespread environmental degradation, raising concerns about the long-term stability of ecosystems. Without effective mitigation strategies, these trends are likely to have severe long-term repercussions for both human societies and natural environments.

読解ポイント（1級視点）

• anthropogenic は「原因特定」

• tipping point → irreversible の論理連結

• 問題では「最も適切な要約」「筆者の懸念」が問われやすい

---

長文サンプル②（政策・経済文脈）

Governments around the world are adopting new regulatory frameworks to address climate change. Measures such as carbon pricing and stricter emissions targets are designed to accelerate the global energy transition.

However, ensuring policy compliance remains a challenge, particularly in developing economies where resource depletion and water scarcity already pose significant threats. Effective environmental governance is therefore essential to balance economic growth with sustainability.

読解ポイント

• 政策語彙は「評価語」とセットで出る

• However 以降が設問になりやすい

• 「問題点＋解決策」の構造を取る英文は頻出

---

長文サンプル③（倫理・将来世代）

Climate policy debates increasingly emphasize intergenerational equity, as today’s decisions will shape the living conditions of future generations. Critics argue that delaying action represents a failure of ethical responsibility, particularly given the mounting evidence of ecosystem collapse in vulnerable regions.

To enhance climate resilience, governments must invest not only in adaptation measures, but also in long-term planning that prioritizes vulnerable populations.

読解ポイント

• intergenerational equity は設問化されやすい

• 抽象語彙が多い段落＝語彙力差が出る

• 「筆者の立場」は明確に pro-action

---

英検1級 長文での出題パターン整理

よくある設問タイプ

• The passage suggests that …

• According to the author, …

• What is implied about climate policy?

狙われる語彙

• 抽象名詞（equity / governance / resilience）

• 因果関係語（tipping point / repercussions）

• 政策系コロケーション（carbon pricing / emissions target）

---

この段階での到達目標

• 単語を「意味」ではなく
  論理の役割（原因・結果・評価）で理解できている

• 英文を読んだ瞬間に
  「英検1級っぽい段落だ」と判断できる

• 語彙問題と長文問題が頭の中でつながる

---

英検1級 英作文・面接｜Environment & Climate Change 模範例文

---

① 英作文（要約＋意見型）モデル

テーマ例

Do you think governments should prioritize economic growth or environmental protection?

模範回答（約120語）

While economic growth remains important, governments should prioritize environmental protection in order to ensure long-term sustainability. Climate change is largely an anthropogenic problem, and delaying action could push the planet beyond a dangerous tipping point, resulting in irreversible warming.

Moreover, unchecked development accelerates environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, which have serious long-term repercussions for human societies. By adopting effective mitigation strategies, such as carbon pricing and clear emissions targets, governments can promote economic development while supporting an energy transition toward renewable sources.

採点者視点

• 抽象語彙が自然に論理へ組み込まれている

• While ～, … should ～ の王道構文

• 1級で評価されやすい「バランス型意見」

---

② 面接（スピーチ型）モデル

質問例

What do you think is the biggest challenge in addressing climate change?

模範回答（約40〜50秒）

I believe the biggest challenge is ensuring effective policy compliance at a global level. Although many countries have established strong regulatory frameworks, enforcement remains uneven.

In regions already suffering from resource depletion and water scarcity, environmental issues often compete with immediate economic concerns. To address this, governments must strengthen environmental governance and invest in adaptation measures that improve climate resilience, particularly for vulnerable communities.

面接官が見るポイント

• 抽象名詞を主語に使えているか

• Although / To address this など論理接続

• 「理想論」で終わらない現実認識

---

③ 倫理・将来世代系（高評価ゾーン）

質問例

Do we have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations?

模範回答

Yes, I strongly believe we do. Climate change raises serious concerns about intergenerational equity, as future generations will bear the consequences of today’s actions. Failing to act represents a lack of ethical responsibility, especially given the growing risk of ecosystem collapse.

Governments and corporations must therefore commit to policies that prioritize sustainability and long-term environmental protection over short-term gains.

---

英検1級で評価される語彙の使い方（重要）

✔ 単語を「意見の核」に置く

• × 単語を見せびらかす

• ○ 論理の中心に据える

✔ 名詞主語を恐れない

• Climate change raises concerns about ～

• Unchecked development leads to ～

✔ mitigation / adaptation / governance は三種の神器

• これが自然に出ると「1級感」が一気に上がる

---

英検1級ボキャブラリー総合ガイド｜1500語で合格点を取る語彙・単語戦略