gistfile1.sh

$env | grep VAR
# nothing

$ VAR1="my_v1" VAR2="my_v2" bash -c 'env | grep VAR'
VAR1=my_v1
VAR2=my_v2
# the command after VAR1 and VAR2 has those vars defined in its environment
# but the vars only exist in the environment of that command, and not in the
# "outside" environment, as can be seen:

$ env | grep VAR
# nothing