environmental

The word “environmental” means relating to the natural world or its protection. In plain terms, having to do with the environment — either nature, or surrounding conditions in general.

“Environmental” is pronounced ihn-veye-ruh-MEHN-tuhl (/ənˌvaɪ.ɚnˈmɛn.təl/ in IPA).

Here is “environmental” used in a sentence: “The company faced an environmental review before construction could begin.”

“Environmental” is an adjective.

“Environmental” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Environmental” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the natural world or its protection.

Environmental relates broadly to the natural world and its protection, often in the context of policy, pollution, or sustainability. Ecological is narrower and more scientific, dealing with the relationships between living things and their surroundings. All ecological matters are environmental, but 'environmental' covers a wider, more everyday range of concerns.

Major environmental issues include climate change, air and water pollution, deforestation, plastic and other waste, loss of wildlife and habitats, and the depletion of natural resources. Each concerns the health of the natural world and the human activity that damages or protects it.

In business, 'environmental' usually refers to a company's impact on nature. It appears in terms like environmental policy, environmental regulations, and environmental impact assessments. It is also the 'E' in ESG — environmental, social, and governance — the standards used to judge how responsibly a company operates.

Because the natural world provides the clean air, water, food, and stable climate that all life depends on. Damage such as pollution or deforestation harms human health, wildlife, and future generations. Protecting the environment helps safeguard these essentials and keeps the planet liveable for the long term.