# environment (surroundings)

the around that a thing is in and the change that can act on it

- Computed level: L4 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: common  ·  Arena: environment

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [space](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-space.extent), [matter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-matter.substance), [change](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-change.process), [act](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-act.deed)

**Through:** space.extent and matter.substance form a context where change.process can unfold through act.deed, enabling dynamic influence on a thing.

**Novel properties:**
- contextual influence
- dynamic interaction
- spatiotemporal condition

## Examples
- The International Space Station maintains orbit through periodic reboosts to counter atmospheric drag. *(engineering)*
- Mangrove forests in the Sundarbans trap sediment and dissipate storm surges, shaping coastal resilience. *(ecology)*
- New York City's subway system operates despite groundwater infiltration requiring constant pumping. *(infrastructure)*

## Used by
- [environmental](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-environmental.surroundings) (L6)
- [obsolete](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-obsolete.inactive) (L15)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-environment.surroundings*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-environment.surroundings.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*