Environmental means related to the natural world around us: the air, water, land, plants, and animals that make up our surroundings. When scientists study environmental problems, they're investigating issues like pollution, climate change, or threats to wildlife habitats.

Your classroom environment includes the desks, lights, and temperature. But environmental usually refers specifically to nature and ecosystems. An environmental scientist might study how factories affect nearby rivers, or how protecting forests helps preserve animal species.

You'll often hear about environmental protection, which means taking care of natural resources so they remain healthy for future generations. This might include recycling to reduce waste, protecting endangered species, or finding cleaner sources of energy.

The word can also describe conditions that surround and influence something. A doctor might say that environmental factors like air quality or access to parks affect children's health. In this broader sense, environmental describes anything in your surroundings that shapes your experience, though it most commonly points to the natural world we all share and depend on.