That convergence represents the foundation of environmental science. The Environmental Literacy Council is a non-profit organization that provides a broad range of cross-disciplinary resources for teachers, students, policymakers, and the public in the area of Environmental Science. The United Nations has an online resource that documents the evolution of the environmental movement and of Environmental Science worldwide. Another useful way to conceptualize environmental science is to contrast it with three similar fields that exist in close proximity to environmental science.
While often used interchangeably with environmental science, ecology is generally tailored to the study of living organisms and their interactions with features of their immediate environment. Environmental science includes ecology, but takes a more expansive, wide-angle view of the ways in which natural processes impact and are impacted by humankind. Environmental science is also more explicitly directed toward addressing problems like climate change, pollution, and sustainability.
Environmental Studies The social, behavioral, and political facets of environmental policy are the focal points in environmental studies. In contrast to environmental science, which is rooted in quantitative analysis and scientific data, environmental studies is more strongly oriented toward the psychology, sociology, and political science of environmental issues. Environmental Engineering Environmental engineering is a branch of engineering that aims to devise practical solutions to the problems explored by environmental scientists.
Environmental scientists generate data and experimental conclusions that environmental engineers can then act on, designing public works projects and infrastructure enhancements that make better use of natural resources and reduce damage to the environment.
For example, based on new findings in the field of environmental science, environmental engineers may design better industrial and municipal water treatment facilities, more efficient recycling plants, and other innovations that minimize pollution and improve the overall health of the environment. The Ecological Society of America is a non-profit scientific organization dedicated to promoting ecological and environmental science awareness and research. These professionals often lead research teams in geology and biology.
They may also train and mentor junior researchers and oversee the publication of any results from their lab. While an undergraduate degree in environmental science can prepare graduates for entry-level positions, they can pursue many opportunities to advance their careers.
In many cases, professionals can increase their chances for advancement by taking proactive steps to improve their knowledge and skills. In the following sections, readers can explore some common advancement methods, including earning certification or licensure, engaging in continuing education, and joining professional organizations.
Licensure is typically issued by a government agency and often requires candidates to pass an exam. Professionals usually need to renew their licenses every few years. Only a few careers in environmental science require licensure. For example, hydrologists may need a license in some states. Certifications are usually voluntary credentials that are offered by professional organizations.
Professionals typically need to pass a certification exam and renew their certification every few years. Many environmental science professionals can benefit from certification. For example, environmental engineers can gain certification through the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists , while environmental scientists can explore certifications through the National Registry of Environmental Professionals.
Environmental science professionals can take advantage of several forms of continuing education to earn a promotion, such as returning to school to earn an advanced degree, completing a certificate program , and enrolling in continuing education courses.
Not all environmental science careers require an advanced degree, but some professionals may benefit from returning to school. For example, environmental engineers should strongly consider earning a master's in environmental engineering to qualify for senior engineering positions.
Most universities also offer certificate programs in specialized areas. Environmental science professionals can enroll in certificate programs to stay current on new technology and research in the industry. Natural sciences managers can pursue this option to broaden their knowledge in areas like management and natural sciences technology. Likewise, professionals can take individual courses offered by colleges to learn new material related to environmental science and their careers.
Readers can learn more about free online courses below. Environmental science professionals and students can use professional organizations as powerful resources in their quest for knowledge and advancement. Professional organizations, such as the National Association of Environmental Professionals and the National Environmental Health Association , provide scholarly research and workshops for professionals and students, helping them stay current with trends and technology in their field.
Many organizations also offer certification and continuing education classes. Professional organizations also provide opportunities for peer networking at conferences and other events. Networking allows professionals to engage with like-minded individuals, solve common problems, and find new career opportunities.
Readers should note that most professional organizations reserve full access for their members only. Both students and professionals can become members of most organizations.
The path to an environmental science career differs depending on an individual's background and experience and where they want to go. Professionals may need to earn another degree or engage in retraining to change their career to environmental science. Most professionals transitioning into a technical career or position in environmental science, such as environmental engineer, must return to school for another degree.
Professionals seeking a career in a humanities-based field of environmental science, such as consulting or activism, may be able to pursue their interests without earning an additional degree. In this field, environmental professionals often work as project managers and product development specialists. They also work as consultants, helping companies improve manufacturing processes to reduce costs and hazardous emissions.
At the state level, environmental scientists and specialists typically work for regulatory agencies. They ensure companies abide by laws and monitor the epidemiological status of various communities and populations.
This industry also offers employment in highway departments and state park systems. Environmental scientists who work for local government agencies oversee road construction and other public works projects.
Local governments may also be responsible for maintaining zoos and nature centers. In these settings, professionals may work as conservationists and botanists.
Within this industry, professionals can work as environmental engineers and alternative energy specialists. Environmental scientists may also pursue careers in sustainable architecture, with additional opportunities as urban planners, community developers, and preservation architects. The federal government operates multiple agencies dedicated to environmental conservation and management, including the National Park Service and the U. Forest Service. Geological Survey.
Source: BLS. Environmental scientists currently have the highest levels of employment in California, Texas, and Florida. The states and areas with the highest annual mean wages for environmental scientists include the District of Columbia, California, Washington, and Virginia.
Kara Sliwoski is an aquatic biologist and regional manager at SOLitude Lake Management — an environmental firm that provides lake, stormwater, pond, wetland, and fisheries management services. Kara oversees SOLitude's scientific teams across New York and New England, where she focuses on designing and executing custom, sustainable aquatic management programs for state and municipal regulatory agencies, private property owners, and owners associations.
It wasn't until after beginning to really dig into the details and future requirements to make all of that happen that I changed my mind. This was during my junior year, as I had already visited a potential pre-med school of interest. I've always enjoyed being outside and felt there was no better place to pursue a career than doing something I enjoyed.
Thus, upon graduating college, for various reasons, I was excited to take a job in an environmental science field, but more specifically aquatic management. The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to assist our clients in improving their aquatic resources by sharing my own knowledge and experiences. It's very fulfilling to know their questions and concerns can be addressed, and that they'll hopefully learn something more about lake management in the process that they can pass along to others.
The most challenging aspect of my job is working in a primarily male-dominated industry, which seems to be the case for various science fields. However, in just the last few years, I've noticed an overall shift in women becoming more involved in the aquatic management industry, and it's incredibly exciting to see! The various career path options are truly endless. Having an environmental science degree opens opportunities in both the public and private sectors, from regulatory agencies, municipalities, consulting, and remediation to everything and anything in between.
If someone is pursuing an environmental science degree but has yet to determine the specific field they want to enter, I'd encourage them to identify what motivates them and what they're passionate about and follow that. Similar to any other field of science, the continual discoveries and improvements upon previous environmental science information will only benefit us all moving forward.
It is important for cultural identity of a people, region or country and is cherished as an important aspect of our humanity. Increasingly, it is using primary data provided by archaeology to build an image of the events of the past, not just its traditional realm of historical documents. Many jobs require or prefer to hire historians today, not just education.
The modern discipline is a broad subject that teaches transferable skills. A hydrogeologist is a type of geologist that examines how rock, water and geological processes interact with water. They study glacial landscapes, how they came to be, and how water flow will alter a landscape.
The data they collect can tell us a great deal about the modern and ancient landscape, and what changes we can expect in future, for example following natural disaster. Water shapes our world and hydrogeologists are at the forefront of explaining how by looking at river pathways, flooding and evolution of the geological landscape as shaped by water.
It may sound like a disaster movie, but due to climate change, these phenomena are projected to occur more often in certain areas over the years to come. Hydrologists play a key role in studying and predicting these occurrences at the local level, and assessing their potential impacts. Hydrologists also help assess the potential impacts of proposed mining operations, large-scale farms, and industrial sites. They may also help restore contaminated surface water or groundwater to a more natural condition.
People who choose a career in hydrology will have many opportunities to contribute to environmental sustainability. Ichthyologists are scientists that devote their time to studying the history, behavior, growth patterns, and environmental significance of different kinds of fish.
Most of these scientists spend their workdays performing fieldwork and collecting data or working in a laboratory analyzing data and creating reports. Some Ichthyologists work in museums and institutes of higher education, where they may be required to give presentations on the behaviors and environmental significance of certain fish types.
We know that exposure to particle pollution and other air contaminants can lead to asthma and cardiovascular disease. We know less about how this occurs at the molecular level, how to treat these conditions, and how to prevent them from developing. Immunologists who study the immune system work on these important issues. They work on how to treat, and hopefully cure, autoimmune diseases like asthma, lupus, and type-1 diabetes.
Some research how environmental factors like pollution and lifestyle affect the immune system. Immunologists specializing in other species may even develop cures, treatments, or preventative measures to protect wildlife from the diseases that threaten them.
An Industrial Hygienist is involved in a wide range of situations to promote workplace safety. They anticipate potential problems and conduct practical work in the identification, prevention and mitigation of workplace health issues. They may work with industrial chemicals, examine ventilation and design systems for the safe use of potentially toxic materials.
They are a type of occupational safety professional, but concerned with physical health and the use of dangerous substances in a safe manner. They are also legal experts in their use. An Instrumentation Calibration Technician works with electronic devices used in laboratory work. Their role is to calibrate equipment, validate, check all parts are functioning properly and monitor for faults and problems that may affect the outcome of an experiment.
They work with centrifuges, stability chambers and incubators amongst others. It is their responsibility to ensure that such electronic equipment is operating correctly. If any part is at fault, they may be expected to carry out a repair, replace it or order new parts.
The job of an Integrated Water Resources Manager is to balance the economic needs of water supply against social benefit and environmental protection. They co-ordinate the development of civic works to ensure that the water supply is sustainable, safe and sufficient for requirements. This can be a large juggling act to ensure that the people who use the water get enough of it, and to ensure minimum environmental impact.
They often work in government agencies and with engineering firms, working with various stakeholders to ensure a project runs smoothly. Invertebrate Biologists study living creatures that do not have a backbone.
This is an all-encompassing term that includes herpetology, entomology, aquatic life such as jellyfish and many more. Most students partake in biology degrees and work their way through their degree to find their niche. Students of biology may specialize or they may study general biological systems without becoming an expert in any particular field. Invertebrate Biologists are a type of zoologist that looks at animals, whether they live on land or at sea, that have no backbone — their form, function, genetics, ecologies and habitats.
We can sometimes identify environmentally damaged areas just by looking, or correlate health complaints to a nearby factory or mine. Fish kills may implicate an upstream factory. Environmental laboratory technicians test samples for pollutants and contaminants that affect the environment and human health. While other types of lab technicians do similar testing, environmental lab technicians focus on tests that directly relate to environmental and environmental health issues.
They test for contaminants in groundwater, protecting us all. Land Acquisition Managers effectively work as Real Estate managers for companies and businesses looking to acquire land for development for their business interests rather than to purchase for the purpose of development and sales. They are not realtors and are not land agents, and do not work managing land day to day, but work on behalf of a business for development. In the protection of our natural environment, we require a range of specialists and professionals.
Where most conservation workers are responsible for one small area and have a scientific specialty, land wardens have more practical knowledge and less in the way of technical skills. There is a need for a bridge between these two types of land workers and that is a land management specialist. This type of professional understands the damage of invasive species and human action, but will also use tools on a day to day basis to maintain the landscape.
Lead abatement technicians are a type of building safety technicians that deal in the removal of toxic substances, particularly lead. The toxic metal features in building work in several ways — in older paints and in some cases for much older buildings, in roofing. Lead abatement technicians are tasked with the proper handling, removal and disposal of lead.
They will also have knowledge of other potentially dangerous building materials such as asbestos. They wear specialist equipment for removal of these materials, and understand the need for their use — perhaps taking charge of others in effective safety measures.
Mammalogists observe and study the lives of particular mammals in a number of different capacities. The exact nature of the work depends on the Mammalogist's specialty, which can range from the behaviors of a particular mammal to the taxonomy of multiple mammalian groups.
Some Mammalogists are required to observe mammals in their natural habitat, meaning that they must travel out into the field and spend a great deal of time alone in potentially adverse weather conditions.
All Mammalogists possess at least a bachelor's degree in zoology, ecology, or other field, though many go on to obtain their master's or Ph. Though the anticipated growth of this profession is relatively slow, the profession's importance has become more important than ever thanks to growing environmental concerns and ever-increasing human populations.
Marine biologists study the biological components of our oceans, their interactions with one another, and their relationships with the non-living components as well. The study of marine biology is a particularly important one, as oceans are some of the most highly polluted ecosystems globally, and fish populations have been hugely overfished within the last half century.
As marine biology is one of the most comprehensive fields to investigate the inter-workings of oceanic environments, it is common for marine biologists to specialize within one subject area, for example a single marine species, behavior, technique, environmental impact or ecosystem.
Marine biologists require formal training through a high-quality degree program, most of which are located at universities along the coasts of the globe. Marine Geologists are a type of geologist that study the natural processes relating to rocks and how they pertain to the ocean floor. The oceans are a fascinating resource and of the least understood and studied areas of geology, mostly because it is difficult to study them in detail. Marine Geologists plan and examine geochemical processes, geological oceanography and the history of our coastal zones, including sediment as well as rock, and such large systems as continental drift occur.
It is a cross-disciplinary approach that uses a wide variety of data from other Earth sciences. A Marine Science Educator works in a variety of areas, sometimes with public interaction such as at tourist facilities, conservation areas and research stations where the public may be invited. This type of role is different from a teacher as adult learners and a general audience requires different methods and levels of information.
In the conservation of our marine spaces, public awareness is vital to promoting respect for the environment, fundraising and public education. This is why we need marine science educators in non-school environments. Metallurgical Engineers fulfill a number of roles in mining and engineering, typically in a hands-on way. Amongst their tasks and responsibilities are mine design, safety checks and repairs, logistics of moving people and material in and out of the mine, and producing reports.
Students who wish to become this type of engineer need solid performance in the hard sciences such as physics and geology, but especially math. Engineers of all kinds need this good grounding in the sciences. Metals are crucial to nearly every aspect of modern society, from bridges to skyscrapers to smartphones. Metallurgists are engineers who study the properties of metals so we can extract them from ores and use them efficiently.
They make sure that the right metal is used to make the right product, and test for product quality. Their efforts help make things made with metals safe. They can also make extraction and manufacturing processes, as well as the products themselves, more efficient, making them easier on the environment.
Meteorologists are tasked with the phenomenally difficult assignment of identifying, modeling, and predicting weather and climate patterns. Meteorologists are found in a variety of different organizations, anywhere from news forecasts, the military, the airlines, the farmers, or even road crews.
Primarily, their duties involve taking data from the land, sea and upper atmosphere to develop predictive computer models of future climate and weather events, and then communicating that information to third parties. Meteorologists that focus primarily on long term climate change are of increasing importance within the environmental sector, with increasing numbers of governments and organizations recognizing the importance of adapting towards future climatic pressures.
As future climatic patterns are largely sporadic and unknown at this point, there is significant work to be conducted here. Meteorologists may team up with others involved in the environmental sector to see how climatic changes will affect existing environmental problems. For example, they may work with ecologists to study how the suitable range of a particular species may change with expected variation in regional climatic patterns.
A career as a meteorologist is thus a broad one, and can range from being involved in heavily science-oriented projects to the more traditional communication of short-term weather events to the general public. Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms.
Thus, microbiologists are hugely important in the study of disease and environmental health. Due to the vast number of microorganisms that inhabit our planet, microbiologists often specialize in a certain type of microbe. Specializations of microbiologists include, but are not limited to, virologists study viruses , bacteriologists studying bacteria , and mycologists studying fungi.
Microbiologists are invaluable to society because they ensure the environmental health of the food, air, and water that humans consume on a daily basis. Additionally, they are responsible for the development of medicines and preventative measures for malicious microorganisms. The day-to-day activities of an environmental microbiologist might include collecting water samples from a polluted water source, identifying the responsible microorganism, and either identifying the source it originates from or developing a solution for restoring the water source to its natural environmental conditions.
Pursuing a career as a microbiologist requires formal training at a four year institution in a microbiological science program. As microorganisms are some of the fastest evolving species on the planet and increasing population densities exacerbate public health concerns, a career path as a micro-biologist is a rewarding and exciting one to take.
Metals like copper and rare earth minerals are integral to modern computing and our mobile electronic devices. As you might imagine, demand for these minerals, also called rare earth elements, is on the rise. As the name implies, these valuable minerals are few and far apart — not highly concentrated. Mineralogists study minerals and often work for mining companies, where they help process minerals in ores to make the most of them. They have the fascinating task of studying the geochemical properties and processes of the earth.
Mining is crucial to civilization as we know it. For better or worse, Western society still runs largely on coal energy. NASA is even discussing mining asteroids for their metals, and the European Space Agencyset down a lander on an asteroid in November Who knows — maybe someday you could help plan an asteroid mining mission!
Mining Surveyors work with technology in the landscape to examine a number of aspects regarding mining. Typically, they will investigate landscapes for resource potential, predict deposits using surveying data, interpret and provide information from maps, examine property boundaries and legal aspects and many other elements in the decision to build, maintain, expand or close a mine.
Their knowledge and applied science background make them a vital link in the research of the landscape. They may even be part of an engineering team and supervise construction of a site.
Modeling Specialists design and implement models from extensive data sets and typically output them as graphical data for broader and wider consumption. Modeling Specialist is an umbrella term that covers GIS technicians who produce map models , but also statistical analysis such as graphs.
They can work in any field where statistical data is required — market research, public service planning, health data, epidemic tracking and management.
In environmental science, they could plot and monitor pollution levels. Damp is a problem in many of our buildings — commercial, industrial and residential. Damp environments, older buildings, those with poor ventilation and buildings in moist environments need to keep moisture and mold under control. That is usually the job of the Mold Remediation Technician.
His or her role is to identify problems with damp and remedy them to avoid structural damage and problems to human health associated with damp environments.
Molecular Biologists perform experiments on the molecular level to better understand how small particles behave and operate. These scientists are essential to developing newer and better treatments for various illnesses and diseases.
Most Molecular Biologists spend the majority of their time in a lab environment or preparing data reports in an office. Prospective Molecular Biologists must be prepared to obtain a Ph. Performing postdoctoral work is essential to receiving more training and launching a full-fledged career. In the past, many naturalists were amateur observers, sometimes without scientific training, who had the means to travel to observe nature.
Today, a naturalist is an expert on the natural world. They are a type of biologist but their interests lie in the general overview of nature interaction including observations regarding evolutionary patterns, environmental impact on species and interactions between living creatures, each other and their environment. Both introduced in , today their complexity in line with wider environmental protection laws require employees to manage the practical and documentary aspects of these roles.
The US and organizations operating within our borders have a duty and commitment to protect the environment and comply with the evolving nature of environmental laws. They can work in a variety of roles, but most commonly in monitoring noise pollution in line with environmental law and impact on environments.
They are a type of Environmental Protection Technician but work in a niche using technology to measure environmental sound.
We are only just becoming aware of the potential impact of noise pollution on ecology and human health. Noise Impact Modeling Specialists are a type of expert on noise analysis dealing with impact models. They will have a range of skills including understanding of statistics, digital mapping and modeling software.
They will also have a great deal of knowledge about environmental impact of noise pollution. Because of these broad and important skills, they can work in a wide range of roles.
They may act as business consultants, as researchers, or as part of environmental assessment teams. Their skills are transferable, especially in their use of statistics and data analysis. While marine biologists focus more on the biotic living components of marine ecosystems, oceanographers focus more on the abiotic non-living components. Similar to marine biology, there are many specializations within oceanography that an individual can focus on: ocean circulation, plate tectonics and sea floor geology, nutrient cycling, and the chemical components of the ocean.
As the abiotic components of oceans are highly interdependent on their surrounding terrestrial and atmospheric biomes, oceanographers often require strong interdisciplinary understandings of the physics and chemical principles that govern interactions between the ocean and its surrounding biomes. The day-to-day activities of an oceanographer may require collecting samples from the sea, sea floor or atmosphere; developing computer based models that predict oceanic phenomena; or analyzing and synthesizing results to convey to third parties.
Oceanographers often fund their research projects through grants and thus their work commonly follows the standard scientific method protocols. Oceanographers commonly work within academia, but may also work on interdisciplinary teams in industry or government. Due to the highly interdisciplinary nature of the work, strong understandings of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics are required.
Thus, training through a broad spectrum degree program such as environmental science with an emphasis on oceans will best prepare individuals for careers as oceanographers. Open Space Planners use a wide knowledge based to set aside land parcels for relevant use and maximum care and protection.
They are not engineers, nor are they environmental scientists, but they have knowledge of both groups relevant to open space management and care. They must also understand elements of ecology, planning, conservation issues, hydrology and how human action can affect a landscape.
They are the ideal consultants for any engineering works as they represent the multidisciplinary approach required in modern public works planning and building. They are just as involved in planning land for leisure use as they are for industrial infrastructure. Our modern airplanes make them no less mysterious. Birds are endlessly various — large and small, flightless and airborne, the hummingbird and the hawk. These endearing creatures are facing threats from climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and even predation by domestic cats.
Ornithologists can help us better understand the behavior and needs of birds, and address the challenges facing them. Paleobiologists or palaeobiologists study the fossilized remains of extinct life. From the smallest microorganisms up to the largest behemoths of the sky, sea and land, they look at remains to determine a number of things.
They will look at such attributes as morphology, distribution, ecological relationships and evolutionary theory. Where paleontologists look at extinct animal life and paleobotanists look at extinct plant life, only paleobiology incorporates both of these disciplines and much more. Typically, their job roles are academic based although in some cases, just like archeology, it is tied to commercial, industrial and residential development. Information is recorded for future reference.
Paleobotanists branches the gap between botany and paleobiology. In essence, they study the fossilized remains of ancient or extinct plants. They use many tools and a multidisciplinary approach to examine the form and ecology of ancient plant remains — flowers, wood, leaves, sap, seeds, pollen and spores and so on. They may be involved in the study of their evolution or may work towards reconstructing a paleoclimate of an area.
Environmental science is an academic field that combines multiple scientific disciplines to explore and better understand the environment. It merges biological, physical, and information sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, zoology, oceanography, geology, and many more. Environmental science aims to solve problems such as the extinction of specific animal or plant species and deal with important issues such as climate change.
It also tries to understand human relationships with nature and its various aspects by integrating social sciences among all of the other disciplines it encapsulates. The discipline started to gain traction during the s and the s when people realized they needed to focus more on environmental problems. There are five major fields of environmental science; each one made up of multiple smaller disciplines. These five fields are atmospheric sciences, ecology, environmental chemistry, geosciences, and social sciences.
The atmosphere and all of the processes that occur in it have a large impact on the environment, so it is extremely important to learn as much as we can about it. Several sciences fall under the atmospheric sciences, including meteorology and the studies of airborne contaminants, greenhouse gas phenomena, and even sound propagation phenomena. The latter is related to noise and light pollution, which have recently begun gaining attention as problems of modern society. Atmospheric sciences mostly deal with global warming and its effect.
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