In the field of international relations, the sphere of influence is defined as a spatial or conceptual region over which a governing body has cultural, economic, legal, military or political control. In geographical terms, it is the area surrounding a settlement directly affected by the activities of that settlement, or the population utilizing the products and services of a business or corporation. Depending on the demand for a given product or service, the sphere of influence of a business or corporation may be large or small. In terms of environmental impact, our sphere of influence is the spatial region extending beyond the boundaries of the physical self, where we source the products and services we need to survive and to create our lives, including the environmental impact of our lifestyles.

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