Environmental Studies and Earth Science is a multidisciplinary course that focuses on the study of the interactions between humans and the environment. The main goal is to solve real-world problems such as pollution, deforestation, waste production, or global warming.
Learn more! Some of the subfields of Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences are Geology, Climate Studies and Meteorology, Toxicology, Biodiversity and Conservation, Natural Hazards Prediction, etc. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Earth Sciences is an excellent choice of study for people who like to work outdoors and are interested in finding solutions to complex environmental problems. Much of your work will involve analyzing human activities and their impact on nature.
Courses will focus on environmental processes, natural resources and how predictions can be made for the future. The classes also involve a lot of research. You’ll learn how to find pollutants and ways to control or eliminate them. You’ll spend a lot of time doing field work, collecting air, water and soil samples, which you’ll then analyze with lab equipment. All your efforts are aimed at finding effective solutions that can stop or at least limit the negative impact of human activities on the environment.
This is important because an increasing number of scientists keep telling us that we are already over the limit. Large companies must abide by international pollution standards and you can have a positive impact on the implementation of these policies. As a professional environmental scientist, it will also be your job to educate people about why they should avoid using plastic, recycle it whenever possible, and become more aware of the importance of a greener lifestyle.
If you choose to focus on Earth Science, you will study the physical characteristics of our planet and the atmosphere. You will investigate natural processes and try to understand how the Earth works, track its changes and their causes. The four main subfields of Earth Science are Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology and Astronomy. Through your work and discoveries, you will be able to predict natural disasters, weather phenomena and discover new natural resources.
Environmental Studies and Earth Science graduates will find jobs as nature conservation officers, environmental consultants, sustainability consultants, waste management officers, toxicologists and many others.