Environmental science is the study of how humans interact with the environment. It focuses on solving problems like pollution and extinction by taking an interdisciplinary approach and considering economic and social factors. While a relatively new field, it emerged after World War II in response to issues like smog and polluted waterways. Environmental science is one of the most important sciences today given the need to understand and address pressing environmental challenges like resource depletion, pollution, and species loss. Key issues it examines are the sustainable use of renewable and nonrenewable resources, as well as the introduction of harmful pollutants into the environment.