What do Environmental Scientists do? Although they may seem ‘dashing’ to the outsider, the truth about environmental scientists is that they are often unsung heroes in laboratories and research centres around the globe. What they’re doing is investigating the complexities of the environment – including the effects caused by our growing human population. They’re also involved in decision-making and in guiding the processes that will help us make the healthiest and most sustainable use of our land, water and energy resources. What’s Environmental Science all about? Environmental science is a huge field, and its applications stretch from the study of our oceans, to the use of remote sensing satellites orbiting Earth. It brings together elements of science, technology and engineering, and incorporates a wide range of job titles, including: Atmospheric Chemist, Ecologist, Geologist, Hydrologist, Energy Conservationist, Environmental Consultant, Government Environment Officer, Lobbyist (someone who Lobbies or persuades Governments to change environmental matters for the better) and Oceanographer, Geographical Technician, Landscape Scientist, Countryside Conservation Officer, Surveyor –Minerals (mining). Areas of Environmental Research Meteorology, oceanography, geology and geoscience: This covers all branches of science concerned with structure evolution and dynamics of the Earth. Work in this areas includes geological mapping, geophysical prospecting geochemical sampling, borehole logging and chemical analysis of rocks and minerals Exploration and production: The search for natural resources such as fossils and fuel. Conservation and ecology: The study of how plants and animals interact with their natural surroundings Engineering and environmental science: investigation and monitoring of local ground conditions associated with construction. Geological survey: This is the systematic collection of geological information. Education and research: Conservation teaching and research posts in universities. Environmental Science and Big Business The global market alone is worth $280 billion (£190billion) according to a study carried out by the UK Government’s joint Environmental Markets Unit. And the same study estimated that the market will grow to $640 billion (£441billion) by 2010. The largest area has been in the area of environmental consulting. This is what happens when experts in a particular environmental field are brought into projects to ensure that the environment is not damaged, and that the best possible environmental outcomes are reached by the enterprise. For example, an environmental consultant may be called in when an oil company are laying a new pipeline to make sure the impact on the environment is as minimal as possible, and even to think of ways to enhance the environment afterwards. Click here to find out more about the environmental scientists in our ‘Meet Your Match’ database Go back