Final answer:
Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through processes like pollution, deforestation, and mining, leading to the loss of biodiversity and the depletion of natural resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources such as air, water, and soil; the destruction of ecosystems; and the extinction of wildlife. This degradation can occur through various means, including deforestation, mining, pollution, overgrazing, and unsatisfactory farming practices. Due to these activities, environments suffer from problems like soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and decreased quality of freshwater supplies. Sustainable development aims to balance the use of resources so that the environmental capital is maintained for future generations, in stark contrast to environmental degradation.