1. Understanding the Natural World: This encompasses studying how living organisms interact with their physical environment, including:

* Ecosystem dynamics: Understanding how energy flows, how nutrients cycle, and how species interact within ecosystems.

* Global processes: Studying climate change, pollution, and other large-scale environmental issues.

* Human impacts: Examining the ways in which human activities affect the environment.

2. Solving Environmental Problems: This focuses on finding practical solutions to issues like:

* Pollution control: Developing methods to reduce air, water, and soil pollution.

* Resource management: Managing natural resources (water, land, minerals) sustainably.

* Biodiversity conservation: Protecting endangered species and habitats.

3. Promoting Sustainability: This aims to ensure that human activities can continue indefinitely without degrading the environment, focusing on:

* Sustainable development: Finding ways to meet human needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

* Environmental policy: Developing and implementing policies to protect the environment.

* Public education: Raising awareness and promoting responsible environmental behavior.

These goals are interconnected. Understanding the natural world is crucial for solving environmental problems, and solving those problems is necessary for achieving sustainability.