Define environmental stewardship.

Environmental stewardship refers to the responsible use and protection of the natural environment to maintain and improve the health of ecosystems for future generations. It involves recognizing the interconnectedness of human actions and the environment, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring that natural resources are used in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

This concept emphasizes the importance of conservation, ethical management of natural resources, and proactive efforts to minimize environmental harm. By adopting responsible practices, individuals and communities can contribute positively to the environment, promote biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life.

The other options do not align with the principles of environmental stewardship. For instance, maximizing resource extraction focuses solely on short-term gains without regard for environmental impacts, while ignoring human activity's effects on nature disregards the necessity of sustainable coexistence with our ecosystem. Similarly, creating more urban areas often leads to habitat destruction and increased pollution, counteracting the goals of responsible environmental management.