Being ecologically minded does not necessarily make you a tree-hugging hippie who eats granola all day while living out of the back of a Volkswagen bus. Rather, it means you have a mind for the future and are perceptive of the natural world.
Today’s environmentalists have taken up professions in countless disciplines in which they incorporate thought-provoking, ecological-based mindsets into a wide array of jobs. Ecologists, wildlife biologists, environmental scientists and natural-resource planners are all professionals who deal with the environment. Not as widely known are the countless others who strive for a sustainable future.
Although science provides the backbone for the environmental movement, science alone cannot curb environmental impacts without the roles of activists, journalists, policy makers, business people and other “green” individuals in society. In fact, the absence of one of these components would disrupt environmental improvements altogether.
Scientists build the foundation by defining the Earth’s patterns and processes while studying the positive and negative consequences of human interaction with the environment. Environmental activists use the scientific data to expose environmental issues through various mediums with the help of journalists, photographers and artists. When activists apply enough pressure, policy makers develop a bill that will make its way through the policy process. Innovative policy contains measures to provide “green” businesses with tax breaks and incentives for making improvements to the environment.
Along with the diverse assortment of environmental jobs is the increasing demand for employees. Many of the environmentalists who fought for landmark laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act, have retired or are on the verge of retirement. Within the next five years, more than 40 percent of the professional staff of the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Forest Service will be eligible for retirement. Within the next five years alone, the Forest Service expects to hire more than 8,000 new employees, creating a sizable niche in the job market.
Aside from filling these jobs is the need to fill positions yet to be developed. Over the past few years, technology has changed the environmental movement so that new jobs are created faster than the changing times. If you are computer savvy and interested in the environment, chances are you would make an ideal candidate. Technologies such as Geographic Information Systems are widely used to study environmental impacts and require a specialized set of skills.
“Green” business opportunities are sprouting everywhere. The once-perceived rivalry between business and the environment has eased, and there is now a demand for environmentally friendly products. Environmental educators facilitate this progress by spreading the word about global and local environmental issues, and consumers pay closer attention to where their money is spent.
These jobs, along with many others, are emerging with good reason. As population growth collides with nature, our ability to balance human needs and the environment’s integrity will decide the fate of the earth. With projections of the world’s population doubling by the year 2100, the way we manage our resources is becoming more and more important.
When looking toward the future, be mindful—a sustainable job doesn’t just mean job security, but also a job that is compatible with the world.
ENGINEERING THE ENVIRONMENT Want to put your “green” skills to use? Consider environmental engineering. These engineers monitor air, water, soil quality and treat chemicals, waste, water and air. They find answers to environmental problems and are advocates for environmental protection. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental engineers also study acid rain, global warming, auto emissions and ozone depletion. In college, prepare to study toxicology, microbiology, geology, chemistry, political science and ecology and more. In 2000, the average salary for environmental engineers was $57,780.
