The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or thing lives or operates. It can mean the natural world, like air, water, and land, or social surroundings, like home and school.
From French *environner* meaning 'to surround', from *environ* meaning 'around'. The word originally focused on things that encircle or hem something in.
Environment literally means what’s ‘around’ you, not just forests and oceans. Your classroom, your friend group, and even your phone apps are all parts of your environment. That means changing small surroundings can sometimes change your whole life direction.
While “environment” is neutral, environmental harms and decision-making have gendered dimensions, with women—especially in the Global South—often bearing disproportionate burdens from environmental degradation while being underrepresented in environmental governance.
Use “environment” to include both natural and social contexts, and when relevant, acknowledge that environmental impacts and access to environmental decision-making can differ by gender and other social factors.
["surroundings","context","ecosystem","setting"]
Women environmental scientists, activists, and community leaders have been central to environmental justice and climate movements, often foregrounding how environmental issues intersect with gender, health, and labor.
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