Environment

The environment refers to the surroundings in which living organisms operate, comprising natural elements such as air, water, land, and living organisms, as well as human-made surroundings and social conditions. It encompasses natural ecosystems, climate systems, and the built environment that humans create.

Natural environment includes ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and climate. The built environment includes cities, transportation networks, housing, and industrial systems. The two are interconnected, with human activity shaping and being shaped by environmental conditions.

Environmental processes include energy flow through ecosystems and material cycles like the carbon and water cycles. Ecosystem services are benefits that people obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning goods (food, water), regulating services (climate regulation, flood control), supporting services (pollination, nutrient cycling), and cultural services (recreational and spiritual values).

Human activities affect environments through resource extraction, pollution, habitat alteration, and climate change. In response, environmental management seeks to reduce negative impacts and promote sustainability through conservation, pollution control, land-use planning, and renewable energy.

Measurement and policy: scientists monitor air and water quality, biodiversity, and energy use. Environmental policy integrates science, economics, and social considerations to promote sustainable development, protect ecosystems, and address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.