Final answer:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency focused on the protection of human health and the environment through research, education, and enforcement of regulations. The definition of the environment, as per the EPA's work, includes the air, water, soil, ecosystems, and all living organisms. The agency also manages programs like Energy Star and ensures the safety of drinking water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting the environment and human health. By enforcing regulations evolved from laws passed by Congress, the EPA aims to ensure a safer and healthier environment for current and future generations. While the EPA's definition of the environment is not specifically spelled out in a simple sentence, the scope of their work provides a de facto definition: the environment encompasses the air we breathe, the water we drink and use, the soil and landscapes we live in and interact with, and the complex web of living organisms and their ecosystems.
The EPA conducts research and promotes education on environmental issues to better understand and solve them. It holds the authority to enforce environmental laws and regulations, working closely with states, tribes, and local governments. The agency is involved in various programs to maintain national standards for environmental quality, such as the Energy Star program for energy efficiency, and regulations for safe drinking water. It also addresses pollution prevention and energy conservation, among many other initiatives.
Environmental science is interdisciplinary, blending biological, physical, and informational sciences to study the environment and the effects of human actions upon it. The EPA's role conjoins environmental science and regulatory actions to protect ecosystems, including all living organisms and their physical surroundings.