Are you passionate about doing your bit to save Mother Earth? Here are some environmental careers that will help you do just that.
The large-scale industrial development of the last century has had a serious impact on the natural environment. As a result, environment conservation has increasingly become a topic of major concern. Today, there is growing awareness of problems such as pollution, global warming, and large-scale deforestation resulting from industrial activity. This awareness has forced us to review existing systems and invent newer technologies that are less of a burden on natural resources and therefore, more sustainable in the longer run.
Environmental issues affect almost every human activity. Industrial development, urban planning, agriculture, animal husbandry, medicine, waste disposal, transport, and tourism all depend on the health of the environment. Careers related to the environment encompass a wide range of inter-disciplinary career fields. Here are some environment-related careers:
Environmental Research
Environment-related research is a vast field. It includes field ecology, zoology, botany, fisheries, forestry, and wildlife management. It may involve testing the effects of chemicals or pollutants on organisms in a laboratory. On the other hand, field research may involve long periods spent studying the ecology of plants and animals in an outdoor setting. Environmental researchers also conduct field surveys, compile, industry impact reports, and produce literature on environmental issues.
An environmental researcher usually has a post-graduate degree in environmental science, biology, zoology, botany, life sciences, or related fields. There is scope for employment in academic institutions, government agencies, or non-governmental organisations. Alternatively, a researcher can also find employment as an environmental consultant in the industrial sector.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineering is an inter-disciplinary vocation that blends different branches of science and engineering. Environmental engineering seeks to understand and design environmental structures in the following areas:
- Water supply
- Treatment and disposal of effluents
- Solid waste management
- Treatment of industrial waste
- Radiation protection and toxic waste control
- Air and water pollution control
- Environmental impact assessment
- Industrial safety and hygiene
Many institutes in India offer post-graduate courses in environmental engineering. The usual requirement for enrolling is graduation in science (B.Sc.) or engineering (B.E. or B.Tech.). There is scope for employment in the Central and State Government pollution control boards, municipality corporations, water supply boards, and public sector industries.
Environmental Law
Environmental law deals with legislation concerned with protecting the environment and preventing degradation of natural resources. Thus, an environmental lawyer deals with the enforcement of laws related to air, water and land pollution, sanitation, waste disposal, and noise pollution. Environmental law also covers conservation of wildlife, protection of environmentally protected areas such as national parks and sanctuaries, and poaching and other related offences.
Most law colleges in India include environment law in their curriculum for the Bachelor of Law (L.L.B.) course. Shorter specialisation courses in environmental law are also conducted. Law graduates or practising lawyers can also opt to specialise in this branch of law. Environmental lawyers are employed in governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations. Industrial establishments also require environmental lawyers to help them deal with legal and governmental procedures related to the environment.
Environmental Journalism
Environmental journalism involves reporting and broadcast on a wide range of environmental issues. The field is a very broad one. On one hand, it includes scientific reporting on issues such as global warming or industrial impact on environment. On the other, it includes reporting on local environmental policy disputes or investigating violation of environmental laws.
As of now, there are no specialised courses for environmental journalism. However, shorter courses or workshops, mainly for working journalists, are sometimes organised. Freshers intending to enter this field will benefit from a post-graduation degree in journalism or mass media. Apart from mainstream media such as newspapers and TV, environmental journalists can work for public relations or science communication.
