When you use incorrect collocations, the other person will usually understand you, but your English won’t sound “natural” as it differs from the way a native speaker would say it.

Although it’s possible to communicate successfully with incorrect collocations, using collocations correctly can help you speak more fluently. We recommend completing one lesson in this book per day, but, of course, you can study at your own pace.

Let’s start our study of collocations by learning some common expressions related to the environment.

A. Damaging the environment

Read this excerpt from a report on waste disposal.

Disposal of household waste is a challenging task for local authorities. Towns and cities cannot simply dump(1) such waste and hope it will disappear. Household waste contains many materials and substances that are extremely harmful to the environment, and authorities need long-term solutions. Efforts to recycle waste are only a partial solution. Meanwhile, the issue of toxic waste(2) persists. One expert recently warned that the risks to public health are so significant that we may have less than a decade to prevent a global-scale environmental catastrophe.

(1) dispose of in an irresponsible manner

(2) poisonous

B. Climate change and its consequences

Here is an interview with Gary Prime, the American rock star known for his support of environmental campaigns, who is visiting London.

Interviewer: Would you agree that climate change is the most urgent issue facing us today?

Prime: Definitely. You only have to look at the changing weather patterns in many parts of the world. It’s absolutely vital that we change our ways before it’s too late. Parts of Europe that used to be cooler now experience intense, searing heat, and temperatures soar above the average every summer. Other areas suffer widespread flooding on a regular basis. We can’t continue this way without facing dire consequences.

Interviewer: So what can people do in the face of this irreversible climate change?

Prime: There is a lot we can do. We can all reduce our carbon footprint by flying less and decrease our food miles by buying local produce. Some airlines now have schemes for offsetting carbon emissions.

Interviewer: Flying is only one part of it, though. Most of the problems come from vehicle emissions and power stations.

Prime: True, but there are things we can do about that too. Buy a hybrid car, develop alternative energy sources for homes (such as solar heating), and build more offshore wind farms. Oil supplies will run dry within 50 years. Renewable energy can make a real difference. And politicians shouldn’t be afraid of introducing green taxes and incentives to encourage eco-friendly design in architecture. With sufficient will, we can find a solution.

Interviewer: Gary Prime, thank you for taking the time for this interview.

Prime: No problem, I’ve got just enough time to catch my flight to Los Angeles.