Environment and land jobs

Global warming. Chemicals with lingering harmful effects. The destruction of habitats that cannot be replaced. The news about the environment may often seem depressing and gloomy, providing little hope for the future. But you shouldn't believe that the conclusion is so close! Environmental experts are rising to the occasion, and green occupations have started to do what was long thought to be impossible: they are saving the world while also allowing individuals to earn a comfortable life. You are not required to accept our word for it in any way. According to Bloomberg, the globe spent a record 501.3 billion dollars in 2020 on renewable electricity, electric cars, and other technologies to lessen the dependency of the global energy system on fossil fuels.

In this article, we will list and talk about 13 green occupations of the future, including environmental vocations that are in demand and the green jobs that are expanding the quickest. Who could say? You may even get your very first green job or a new position in an industry that you've been working in for a long time.

Engineer of the Air Quality

If you don't have a degree but want to work in a field that benefits the environment, you may want to look into other opportunities than becoming an air quality engineer. In most cases, candidates for this specific post are expected to possess at least a bachelor's degree with a concentration in environmental engineering, and prospective employers place a premium on internships that have been successfully completed. Although the quantity of personal commitment required is not insignificant, the amount of remuneration received more than makes up for the difference. (The salaries vary anywhere from $70,000 to $143,000, more or less.) Engineers that specialize in air quality often work to clean up polluted areas or to keep the interior air quality in pristine condition. Related responsibilities may include carrying out statistical modeling and ensuring that enterprises are in compliance with the restrictions imposed by the government.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sustainability (CSOs)

You have, without a doubt, witnessed an uptick in the demand for more ecologically friendly goods and procedures, coming not just from consumers but also from businesses. This goal prompts the question, "How can large businesses do this in the most effective way?" Enter the Chief Sustainability Officer role, which is an executive-level position and one of the environmental careers with the highest salaries. This is not a job for someone with no experience at all since it demands a number of years. However, considering that CSOs are often involved in the formulation of company policy, this role may be considered one of the most significant. In an interview with Forbes, George Serafeim, an associate professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, noted that "regulators and investors are asking for it, consumers are demanding it, and workers are expecting it." "Once you reach a point where a client asks, 'What are your rules in terms of your supply chain operations?,' you had better have a strong grip on it," says one business expert. "

Scientists in the Field of Conservation

Even though conservation scientists seem like they would be generalists, they are really one of the instances of green jobs that have a very specialized role and set of abilities. They spend the most of their time working outside, as opposed to sequestering themselves in labs, factories, or offices. Their duties often consist of the following:

Taking care of woodlands, notably those in national parks

Putting at-risk environments under protection

Discussions with individual landowners as well as representatives from the various local administrations

Keeping an eye on areas of forest that have been chopped down to guarantee their continued viability

Taking the temperature of the soil

A bachelor's degree is often required for employment in the field of conservation science. The majority of those who are interested in this sector concentrate their efforts on agricultural science, environmental science, or forestry.

Energy Analyst

Energy analysts do their jobs in the exact opposite way that conservation scientists do, but their contributions are just as valuable. These environmental experts keep an eye on the energy markets, keep tabs on the data related to energy use, make estimates about energy efficiency, and provide suggestions based on those projections. Even though the majority of energy analysts hold a bachelor's degree, this is one of those jobs that can be done without a degree while still being beneficial to the environment, at least as long as you can demonstrate your proficiency with various technical programs like Excel, Microsoft Access, and Visual Basic for Applications.

Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants, in contrast to the other types of green employment given in this article, serve in a more generalist capacity. This kind of investigative work is applicable to a wide variety of different industries. Why? Environmental consultants conduct a variety of responsibilities, such as those listed below, by combining their scientific expertise with an understanding of the regulatory environment.

Locating sources of pollution in the air, water, and/or land

Providing advice on matters pertaining to waste management policies

Conducting environmental audits

Concerns with the management of regulations

The process of gathering and analyzing data that is pertinent to the circumstance

Contributing to the adoption of environmentally responsible construction methods

Providing direction in matters pertaining to the health and safety of human beings

Managing sustainability initiatives

Finding out where the pollution is coming from

The Manager of Environmental Projects

Environmental project managers have a distinct professional emphasis than environmental consultants, despite the fact that they possess many of the same abilities as environmental consultants. Environmental project managers do not provide their knowledge in the form of consulting services; rather, they use their management talents to actively guide private firms in the implementation of environmental objectives. Setting and attaining company goals, having discussions about related projects with relevant third parties, obtaining essential individuals, using data to develop useful reports for other decision makers, and a great many other things might be included in this category.

Scientists in Agriculture and the Food Industry

Agriculture and food science is a broad professional discipline that touches virtually every aspect of our food chain. It involves examining every aspect of food production, from the field to the factory, in order to ensure that consumers can confidently put their forks to their mouths and that the environment can continue to be protected. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who study agriculture and food typically work as animal scientists (who "typically conduct research on domestic farm animals"), food scientists and technologists (who "study the basic elements of food"), plant scientists (who "work to improve crop yields and advise food and crop developers"), soil scientists (who "develop methods of conserving and managing soil"), and plant scientists (who "work to improve crop yields and advise food and crop developers").

Technicians in the Forestry and Conservation Fields

The skill sets required of forest and conservation technicians are quite similar to those required of conservation scientists. On the other hand, they focus almost entirely on working with forests as well as any other natural resources that have an effect on them. The educational requirements for forest and conservation technicians are significantly minimal; most employers seek just an associate degree from their applicants. On the other hand, having a curriculum that has been approved by the Society of American Foresters is always an advantage.

Geoscientist

Geoscientists have a high level of education (typically a master's degree) and undertake primary research that is either utilized by private corporations or received by governmental agencies. The results of this study are either shared to other professionals or used by private companies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States of America, geoscientists are responsible for the following activities:

"They plan and carry out field studies, which include going to different sites to collect samples and perform surveys."

"In order to find deposits of natural resources and estimate the amount of such deposits, analyze aerial pictures, well logs (detailed records of geologic formations uncovered during drilling), rock samples, and any other data sources that may be available.

"Carry out tests in the laboratory on samples that were gathered out in the field."

"Create geological maps and diagrams."

"Create written reports on your scientific findings"

Hydrologists

It's water that keeps the globe turning. Although not literally, the availability of pure water and the state of its quality are important considerations for many practical, regulatory, and geopolitical issues. The movement of water throughout the environment is one of the topics that are investigated and analyzed by hydrologists, who also assess the state of the water's purity, identify potential hazards that might result in pollution, and provide solutions. Hydrologists are in demand by companies in both the public and commercial sectors.

Consultant for Renewable Energy Sources

There is a significant amount of diversity to be found in the educational backgrounds and employers of those working in the field of renewable energy consulting. One thing, however, is consistent: Renewable energy consultants help interested clients or employers understand their current energy requirements and how they can most effectively add renewable energy sources to their power mix. This is done by assisting the client or employer in analyzing their energy consumption patterns and providing recommendations.

Scientists of the Soil and the Plants

There is a degree of overlap in the work that is done by soil scientists, plant scientists, agricultural scientists, and food scientists. However, soil and plant scientists devote their efforts only to the management of crops, the prevention of pests, the investigation of the features and composition of soil, and the monitoring of agricultural operations to ensure that they do not negatively impact the environment. Additionally, some may engage in original research.

Natural Resources Expert or Professional

The majority of the green occupations described above entail either enforcing environmental policies or putting them into effect. However, natural resources professionals do sometimes have the opportunity to create them. Employees in this highly adaptable position are tasked with monitoring a variety of natural resources, analyzing environmental consequences, and providing suggestions for rehabilitating damaged regions. These professionals often work for government agencies or educational institutions. Take into account the fact that the duties associated with this specific employment might vary greatly from one company to the next.

Consider earning your NREPSM certification if you are interested in working in an environmentally conscious field in the near future. We have been certifying experts in the domains of environmental protection and occupational safety for many years, and both the United States Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency acknowledge our qualifications.