Environmental issues are a major concern and we are still struggling to find solutions to these concerns. Our life support systems entirely rely on the well-being of every organism living on planet earth. This is why a lot has been written and spoken about protecting and conserving the environment.
Environmental science is a branch of biology that deals with the relations between organisms, their environment and possible solutions to issues related to the environment. It also has related areas like ecology, geology and meteorology. For those interested in studying the interaction between human systems and natural systems, environmental science is an excellent option.
FUTURE SCOPES FOR CAREERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Research institutes and multinational companies are in the constant process of developing eco-friendly technologies. Hence, vast and varied areas of opportunities have been created in the field of environmental studies.
- Environmental scientists have a lot of great career opportunities in fields like pollution control, regional development, environmental education and nature conservation.
- In India, the Department of Environmental Affairs, provincial departments of Nature Conservation and the National Parks Board employ environmental scientists in various posts.
- Private organisations with a special interest in nature conservation also employ environmental scientists.
- Many NGOs that are researching issues regarding the environment also employ environmental scientists. Graduates can individually engage in environmental activism by creating NGOs as well.
- Environmental journalism is an emerging career, and many employers are interested in hiring environmental scientists rather than journalists in this area.
- Environmental scientists are also recruited by mines, fertiliser plants, textile and dyeing industries, food processing units, etc.
- According to a report by the World Economic Forum, more effective plant disease detection, species identification, animal migration tracking etc., can be done with the help of Artificial Intelligence. Environmental scientists are preferred in such areas, giving them a career option in AI.
- AI has the potential to accelerate global efforts to protect the environment and conserve resources by detecting energy emission reductions, helping develop greener transportation or by predicting extreme weather conditions, all of which will open up more opportunities for graduates.
SKILLS REQUIRED TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Good interpretation skills
- Research skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Flexibility to work in different environments
- Observational skills
- Numerical skills
CAREERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Environmental Journalists
- Environment Photographer
- Conservation Hydrologist
- Director of Waste Management
- Catastrophe Modeller
- Amenity horticulturist
- Commercial horticulturist
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental education officer
- Environmental engineer
- Environmental manager
- Minerals surveyor
- Nature conservation officer
- Recycling officer
- Sustainability consultant
- Waste management officer
- Water quality scientist
ELIGIBILITY TO DO A DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Candidates who have completed 10+2 under a recognised board of education are eligible
ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS
- CUCET (Central University Common Entrance Test)
National level entrance examination conducted by Rajasthan Central University for admission to BS-MS degree program
- LPUNEST (Lovely Professional University National Eligibility and Scholarship Test)
Entrance examinations conducted by Lovely Professional University for various undergraduate programs.
- KCET ( Karnataka Common Entrance Test )
Common entrance test for admission into various government and private institutes of Karnataka
TOP COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA AND ABROAD TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Amity University, India
- Fergusson College, India
- Mount Carmel College, India
- St. Xavier’s College, India
- York University, India
- Avans University of Applied Sciences, India
- Susquehanna University, India
- Northeastern Illinois University, India
- University of Sterling, India
FAMOUS PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Rachel Carson
American marine biologist, author and conservationist. She is best known for her influential book Silent Spring which is credited with advancing the global environmental movement.
Philip Weller
Weller is a Canadian environmental scientist who has authored many influential books on environmental science, including ‘Freshwater Seas’.
TOP INSTITUTIONS THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- Earth System Governance Project
- Embassies and other International organisations related to the environment
- Environment Agency (EA)
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Forest and Wildlife Management
- Distilleries, fertiliser plants, mines, refineries
- Pollution Control Boards
- Urban Planning
- Universities
- Ministry of Environment and Forests
