voanews - Obama Announces Effort to Protect Pacific Ocean

Erika P. (Brazil)
75 words 3 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. launch
    propel with force
    President Barack Obama has launched a new effort to protect parts of the Pacific Ocean from overfishing and environmental damage.
  2. effort
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
    President Barack Obama has launched a new effort to protect parts of the Pacific Ocean from overfishing and environmental damage.
  3. protect
    shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
    President Barack Obama has launched a new effort to protect parts of the Pacific Ocean from overfishing and environmental damage.
  4. pacific
    disposed to peace or of a peaceful nature
    President Barack Obama has launched a new effort to protect parts of the Pacific Ocean from overfishing and environmental damage.
  5. environmental
    of or relating to the external conditions or surroundings
    President Barack Obama has launched a new effort to protect parts of the Pacific Ocean from overfishing and environmental damage.
  6. damage
    the occurrence of a change for the worse
    President Barack Obama has launched a new effort to protect parts of the Pacific Ocean from overfishing and environmental damage.
  7. announce
    make known
    He announced his plan in a video message to an international conference on the oceans.
  8. plan
    a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be achieved
    He announced his plan in a video message to an international conference on the oceans.
  9. message
    a communication that is written or spoken or signaled
    He announced his plan in a video message to an international conference on the oceans.
  10. international
    concerning or belonging to two or more countries
    He announced his plan in a video message to an international conference on the oceans.
  11. conference
    a prearranged meeting for consultation or discussion
    He announced his plan in a video message to an international conference on the oceans.
  12. state
    the way something is with respect to its main attributes
    The meeting took place last week at the State Department here in Washington.
  13. scientist
    a person with advanced knowledge of empirical fields
    For years, scientists and environmentalists have warned that oceans are worsening because of human activity, mainly pollution and overfishing.
  14. environmentalist
    someone who works to protect nature from destruction
    For years, scientists and environmentalists have warned that oceans are worsening because of human activity, mainly pollution and overfishing.
  15. pollution
    contamination of the natural environment
    For years, scientists and environmentalists have warned that oceans are worsening because of human activity, mainly pollution and overfishing.
  16. political
    involving or characteristic of governing or social power
    Political leaders in the United States and other countries have lacked the will to do much about it.
  17. leader
    a person who rules or guides or inspires others
    Political leaders in the United States and other countries have lacked the will to do much about it.
  18. united
    being or joined into a single entity
    Political leaders in the United States and other countries have lacked the will to do much about it.
  19. lack
    the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
    Political leaders in the United States and other countries have lacked the will to do much about it.
  20. administration
    the act of governing or exercising authority
    Now, the Obama administration is taking a step in that direction.
  21. direction
    a line leading to a place or point
    Now, the Obama administration is taking a step in that direction.
  22. federal
    of a government with central and regional authorities
    President Obama said last Tuesday that he has directed the federal government to create a plan to stop illegal fishing and pollution in the Pacific Ocean.
  23. create
    bring into existence
    President Obama said last Tuesday that he has directed the federal government to create a plan to stop illegal fishing and pollution in the Pacific Ocean.
  24. illegal
    prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules
    President Obama said last Tuesday that he has directed the federal government to create a plan to stop illegal fishing and pollution in the Pacific Ocean.
  25. marine
    of or relating to the sea
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  26. threaten
    utter intentions of injury or punishment against
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  27. species
    taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  28. depend
    be determined by something else
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  29. livelihood
    the financial means whereby one supports oneself
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  30. problem
    a question raised for consideration or solution
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  31. drain
    emptying something by allowing liquid to run out of it
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  32. resource
    aid or support that may be drawn upon when needed
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  33. squander
    spend thoughtlessly; throw away
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  34. humanities
    studies intended to provide general knowledge and skills
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  35. treasure
    any possession that is highly valued by its owner
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  36. major
    greater in scope or effect
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  37. source
    the place where something begins
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  38. economic
    of or relating to production and management of wealth
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  39. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  40. afford
    have the financial means to do something or buy something
    “Pollution endangers marine life, overfishing threatens whole species as well as the people who depend on them for food and their livelihoods. If we ignore these problems, if we drain our oceans of their resources, we won’t just be squandering one of humanities’ greatest treasures, we’ll be cutting off one of the world’s major sources of food and economic growth, including for the United States, and we cannot afford to let that happen.”
  41. some
    quantifier
    Some of the possible measures are expected to fuel political battles in Washington.
  42. possible
    capable of happening or existing
    Some of the possible measures are expected to fuel political battles in Washington.
  43. measure
    determine the dimensions of something or somebody
    Some of the possible measures are expected to fuel political battles in Washington.
  44. expected
    considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
    Some of the possible measures are expected to fuel political battles in Washington.
  45. fuel
    a substance that can be consumed to produce energy
    Some of the possible measures are expected to fuel political battles in Washington.
  46. battle
    a hostile meeting of opposing military forces
    Some of the possible measures are expected to fuel political battles in Washington.
  47. ban
    prohibit especially by law or social pressure
    One is a ban on fishing and industrial exploration in parts of the central Pacific.
  48. industrial
    of or relating to commercial enterprise
    One is a ban on fishing and industrial exploration in parts of the central Pacific.
  49. exploration
    travel for the purpose of discovery
    One is a ban on fishing and industrial exploration in parts of the central Pacific.
  50. central
    in or near an inner area
    One is a ban on fishing and industrial exploration in parts of the central Pacific.
  51. authority
    the power or right to give orders or make decisions
    “I’m going to use my authority as president to protect some of our most precious marine landscapes, just like we do for mountains, and rivers and forests.”
  52. precious
    of high worth or cost
    “I’m going to use my authority as president to protect some of our most precious marine landscapes, just like we do for mountains, and rivers and forests.”
  53. landscape
    an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
    “I’m going to use my authority as president to protect some of our most precious marine landscapes, just like we do for mountains, and rivers and forests.”
  54. forest
    a large, densely wooded area filled with trees and plants
    “I’m going to use my authority as president to protect some of our most precious marine landscapes, just like we do for mountains, and rivers and forests.”
  55. activist
    a reformer who works to achieve social or political change
    American actor Leonardo DiCaprio is an environmental activist.
  56. several
    of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
    “Several billion people a year depend on seafood as a source of protein and yet we are failing to protect these vital waters. If we don’t do something to save our oceans now, it won’t be just the sharks and the dolphins that will suffer – it will be all of us, including our children and our grandchildren”
  57. protein
    an organic compound essential to living cells
    “Several billion people a year depend on seafood as a source of protein and yet we are failing to protect these vital waters. If we don’t do something to save our oceans now, it won’t be just the sharks and the dolphins that will suffer – it will be all of us, including our children and our grandchildren”
  58. vital
    performing an essential function in the living body
    “Several billion people a year depend on seafood as a source of protein and yet we are failing to protect these vital waters. If we don’t do something to save our oceans now, it won’t be just the sharks and the dolphins that will suffer – it will be all of us, including our children and our grandchildren”
  59. suffer
    undergo or be subjected to
    “Several billion people a year depend on seafood as a source of protein and yet we are failing to protect these vital waters. If we don’t do something to save our oceans now, it won’t be just the sharks and the dolphins that will suffer – it will be all of us, including our children and our grandchildren”
  60. secretary
    an assistant who handles correspondence and clerical work
    Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to delegates attending the conference.
  61. delegate
    a person appointed or elected to represent others
    Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to delegates attending the conference.
  62. attend
    be present
    Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to delegates attending the conference.
  63. minister
    a person authorized to conduct religious worship
    They included government ministers, scientists and members of the international oceans community.
  64. community
    a group of people living in a particular local area
    They included government ministers, scientists and members of the international oceans community.
  65. receive
    get something; come into possession of
    “We have today received commitments for action over $1 billion, 450-million and that is all directed at this ocean effort.”
  66. commitment
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
    “We have today received commitments for action over $1 billion, 450-million and that is all directed at this ocean effort.”
  67. million
    the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
    “We have today received commitments for action over $1 billion, 450-million and that is all directed at this ocean effort.”
  68. reported
    made known or told about
    Secretary Kerry also reported progress in efforts to get more nations to approve a proposed international port law.
  69. progress
    the act of moving forward, as toward a goal
    Secretary Kerry also reported progress in efforts to get more nations to approve a proposed international port law.
  70. nation
    a politically organized body of people under a government
    Secretary Kerry also reported progress in efforts to get more nations to approve a proposed international port law.
  71. approve
    judge to be right or commendable; think well of
    Secretary Kerry also reported progress in efforts to get more nations to approve a proposed international port law.
  72. propose
    present for consideration, examination, or criticism
    Secretary Kerry also reported progress in efforts to get more nations to approve a proposed international port law.
  73. port
    where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
    Secretary Kerry also reported progress in efforts to get more nations to approve a proposed international port law.
  74. prevent
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
    The measure would prevent illegally caught fish from going to market.
  75. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
    President Obama’s plan is to take effect later this year.
Created on Fri Jun 27 07:11:00 EDT 2014

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