Environment

Environment means everything that surrounds living things and affects their life. It includes natural elements like air, water, soil, plants, and animals, as well as human-made features such as buildings and roads. The environment supports all forms of life by providing food, water, and shelter. Without a suitable environment, living things could not survive.

The environment can be divided into two main parts: the natural environment and the built environment. The natural environment includes forests, oceans, mountains, deserts, and the atmosphere. These areas are shaped by nature without human control. The built environment, on the other hand, is created by people and includes cities, farms, and transportation systems. Both types of environments affect how humans and other species live and interact.

earth’s environment contains many ecosystems, which are communities of living things that depend on one another and on their surroundings. For example, a forest ecosystem includes trees, animals, and soil that work together to recycle nutrients. The ocean is another ecosystem that supports fish, coral, and marine plants. Each ecosystem has its own climate, landforms, and species that keep it balanced.

The environment also changes over time due to both natural and human causes. Natural changes include volcanoes, floods, and weather patterns, while human activities like farming, industry, and construction can also transform the environment. Some changes can harm the environment by polluting the air and water or by reducing forests and habitats. Scientists study these effects to understand how the environment can stay healthy for all forms of life.

The Earth’s atmosphere and climate are important parts of the environment. The atmosphere provides the air we breathe and protects life from harmful rays of the sun. Climate describes the typical weather conditions of an area over many years. Different environments have different climates—such as tropical rainforests, dry deserts, or cold polar regions—and each supports its own kinds of plants and animals.

The study of the environment is called environmental science. It helps people understand how living and nonliving things are connected. The environment is a shared system, meaning that everything on Earth—from soil and water to animals and people—is part of one global network of life.