How has the life and death of stars impacted the environment?

Answer 1

All but the very lightest elements: hydrogen and helium, are abundant in outer space. All other elements were formed by nuclear fusion during the life of the stars and blasted off into space when those stars went nova. So almost all of the matter in our environment was created in the stars.

All our energy - heat and light - comes from stars.

Answer 2

There wouldn't be an environment (i.e. - no planet) if stars didn't "live and die".

Answer 3

Mainly, we owe the existence of all but the lightest elements to stars; such elements were thrown into space in supernova explosions, and became part of the next generation of solar systems.