Energy companies start to pollute this place - a habitable zone (9)

I believe the answer is:

ecosphere

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'a habitable zone' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'energy companies start to pollute this place' is the wordplay.
'energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mco).
'companies' becomes 'cos' (I've seen this in other clues).
'start to' suggests taking the first letters.
'this place' becomes 'here' (here in this location).
The initial letter of 'pollute' is 'p'.
'e'+'cos'+'p'+'here'='ECOSPHERE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ecosphere that I've seen before include "Region where life is possible" , "Parts of the earth where life can exist" , "Region of planet where life exists" , "Core sheep (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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