What do we call actions that make the environment dirty and unsuitable for living?

The term that describes actions that contaminate the environment and make it unsuitable for living organisms is pollution. Pollution occurs when harmful substances are introduced into natural ecosystems, resulting in adverse effects on air, water, soil, and living organisms. This can take many forms, such as chemical waste, plastic litter, emissions from vehicles, and noise disturbance, all of which disrupt the natural balance and health of the environment.

In contrast, deforestation refers specifically to the clearing of forests, conservation involves the protection and management of natural resources, and overfishing is the depletion of fish stocks beyond their ability to reproduce. While these issues also contribute to environmental problems, they do not broadly encompass the concept of making the environment dirty in the same way pollution does.