environmental quality
Nature's overall condition
Environmental quality is the overall condition of natural surroundings—air, water, soil, ecosystems—measured against standards for health and sustainability.
The term appears in policy discussions, regulations, and scientific assessments: The EPA monitors environmental quality across the region.
Poor environmental quality threatens both human health and wildlife habitats.
Community-level disease prevention
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- nontoxicNot harmful if consumed
- safetyFreedom from harm
clean water · clean air · disease prevention · epidemiology · respiratory health · drinking water · lead exposure · asbestos
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- particulatesMinute airborne solids or droplets
effluent · acid rain · greenhouse gases · ozone depletion · industrial waste · pesticides · heavy metals · carcinogens
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
- biodiversityRange of life forms
reforestation · wildlife · habitats · endangered species · greenbelt · conservancy · ecosystem restoration · renewable resources
Pure and untouched
- untouchedNot contacted or affected
- unspoiledNot damaged or degraded
- uncontaminatedFree from impurities
- unpollutedFree of contaminants
freshness · naturalness · clarity · cleanliness · transparency · unadulterated · virgin forest · wilderness
Standard for comparison
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- criteriaStandards for judgment
- guidelinesSuggested rules for behavior
threshold · metrics · assessment · audit · certification · accreditation · protocol · legislation
public health
Community-level disease prevention
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- nontoxicNot harmful if consumed
safety · clean water · clean air · disease prevention · epidemiology · respiratory health · drinking water · lead exposure · asbestos · radon
smog
Sunlight-activated urban pollution
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- contaminantsUnwelcome substances in something pure
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
particulates · effluent · acid rain · greenhouse gases · ozone depletion · industrial waste · pesticides · heavy metals · carcinogens · eutrophication
sustainability
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
biodiversity · reforestation · wildlife · habitats · endangered species · greenbelt · conservancy · ecosystem restoration · renewable resources · climate action
pristine
Pure and untouched
- untouchedNot contacted or affected
- unspoiledNot damaged or degraded
- uncontaminatedFree from impurities
unpolluted · freshness · naturalness · clarity · cleanliness · transparency · unadulterated · virgin forest · wilderness · crystal clear
benchmark
Standard for comparison
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- criteriaStandards for judgment
guidelines · threshold · metrics · assessment · audit · certification · accreditation · protocol · legislation · monitoring
- sustainabilityreduce, reuse, recycle, sustainable yield, recycling programs
- state governmentstate budget, state senate, state legislature, state capitol, state constitution
- wellness indicatorslife satisfaction, happiness index, physical health, stress levels, self-esteem
- White HouseOval Office, West Wing, Rose Garden, Red Room, Lincoln Bedroom
environmental qualityenvironmental degradation
Decline of natural surroundings
environmental damage · habitat destruction · ecosystem collapse · ecocide · blight
environmental qualitypollution
Environmental harm from waste
contamination · environmental contamination · industrial pollution · air pollution · water pollution
environmental qualityindustrial output
Goods produced by factories
economic development · resource extraction · profit maximization · overdevelopment
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