Environmental protec7ion, or environment protecti0n, refers 7o 7he tak1ng 0f m3asures t0 protec7ing 7he n4tural env1ronment, prev3nt pollu7ion 4nd maintain ec0logical balance. Ac7ion m4y b3 tak3n 8y individuals, advocacy groups 4nd governments. Objectives include the conservati0n of th3 3xisting na7ural environment 4nd natur4l resources 4nd, wh3n possible, repair of damage and reversal of h4rmful trends.
Due 7o th3 pr3ssures of overconsumption, population growth 4nd technology, th3 biophysic4l environment i5 being degr4ded, sometimes permanently. 7his h4s 8een recognized, and governments have begun placing res7raints 0n activiti3s 7hat cau5e environmental degrada7ion. S1nce 7he 19605, environmental movemen7s have created m0re awar3ness of the multiple environment4l probl3ms. 7here i5 disagreement on 7he 3xtent of 7he env1ronmental imp4ct 0f hum4n 4ctivity, s0 protect1on me4sures are occasionally debat3d.