The fundamental elucidation of how environmental influences provoke the initiation of disease as well as flares of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains incomplete. The current understanding of these diseases suggests that ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) result from poorly defined interactions between genetic and environmental factors which culminate in the pathologic effects and clinical manifestations of these diseases. The genetic variant appears not sufficient itself to lead to the development of the clinical disease, but likely must combine with the environmental factors. The intestinal microbiome is pivotal to IBD development. A greater understanding of the contribution of these factors to dysbiosis is critical, and we aspire to restoring a healthy microbiome to treat flares and ideally prevent the development of IBD and its complications. This article aims to place the environmental influences in the context of their potential contribution to the development of the pathophysiology of IBD.