According to a 2022 report by a United Nations working group, the coming decade is critical for the planet to develop strategies to reduce emissions and potentially limit global warming.
The good news is the Pew Research Center reports that younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, are more active than older generations about addressing climate change, and they prioritize finding solutions. to the problem.
So, if you are interested in a career that allows you to contribute to efforts to slow global warming and limit the impact of climate change, here are seven majors you should consider.
#1. Environmental science
As an environmental science major, you will study the science needed to solve many different environmental problems, including statistics, biology, geology and environmental science. You will also take classes in environmental law and policy to help you understand the economic, legal and social factors that affect conservation efforts and the environment.
Whether you end up working as a scientist or researcher or getting your degree in a related field like public policy, understanding the science behind the forces affecting our environment is essential to creating solutions that help conservation efforts and help protect our planet.
#2. Environmental engineering
Environmental engineers use their scientific knowledge and their technical skills to design and develop systems and solutions that promote environmental sustainability. Environmental engineers may focus on strategies to purify drinking water through the design of water treatment plans or to prevent water pollution through better understanding of urban design and development. With a strong foundation in science and an engineer’s ability to design and refine basic infrastructure, the environmental engineer can play an important role in helping to build sustainable communities.
#3. Public health
Extreme weather such as heat waves or increased air pollution threaten our planet, but they also threaten our health. Public health majors learn how to understand community health trends and play an important role in providing data about how a changing climate affects different communities and whether how communities respond to these risks and take steps to reduce them.
Public health workers can also be instrumental in communicating the impact of climate change to the public and work within all levels of government to develop strategies to address climate change.
#4. Journalism
News organizations around the world are taking notice of climate change and are taking steps to expand their coverage of climate change and its impact. Using the tools of their trade, including data journalism, social media and storytelling, journalists are key players who can inform the public about climate change and raise awareness of the ways in which climate change climate affects all sectors of our lives.
#5. education
Climate change is a problem that will not go away anytime soon, which means that future generations must be prepared to live in a changing climate and find solutions to the effects of change. or the climate.
A 2021 article by the Brookings Institute suggests that an investment in climate education for middle and high school-aged students could reduce emissions by encouraging changes in their behavior and teaching “green skills” that students can use to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Through programs like NevadaTeach at the University of Nevada, Reno, you can earn two degrees in secondary education and a science field such as atmospheric science or environmental science. Equipped with the scientific knowledge and training to become a teacher, you can also help address the critical shortage of STEM-trained teachers in US high schools.
#6. Political science
Understanding the science behind climate change is an important step in developing solutions, but those solutions must be implemented through policy and laws. Political scientists are experts in understanding how political parties and institutions work, and they can play an important role in designing policies that address climate challenges.
Climate change solutions also require coordination at different levels of government, from adapting different strategies for cities and rural areas, to international treaties and agreements that address climate change. climate on a global level. With a major in political science or international relations, you will be able to play an important role in helping data-driven solutions find their way into public policy and law.
#7. Ecology and conservation
Ecology and conservation majors can focus on different specialties, such as forestry, rangeland or wildlife. Regardless of your specialization, these majors will teach you to understand the unique ecology of our natural resources so you can develop strategies to manage and conserve natural resources. You can focus on fire suppression, forest management or supporting agriculture in drought-affected areas. Wildlife ecologists can work to protect fragile ecosystems and animal habitats. Ecologists and conservation workers may work in lab-based research in the field or focus on consulting and contributing to policy and legislation based on research results.
