Scope and Career in Environmental Sciences

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental Science involves the study of different components of the environment that interact and result in a beneficial or harmful way for the environment and the living creatures dependent on it for their sustenance. It includes the study of pollution, global warming, forest conservation, soil erosion and the like. It also provides the ability to monitor and manage the impacts of human activities scientifically involving all related disciplines. 

Nature of the Work

Environmental scientists observe changes in the earth’s atmosphere, study the reasons and try to repair the damages that have been and are being done. They also find how these problems are interrelated to each other.

Environmental Scientists 

• Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying and eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population.
• Utilize knowledge of various scientific disciplines and take or suggest actions based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
• Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance, and to interpret the relationship between human activities and environmental effects.
• Share their scientific and technical information with the public, organizations
• Provide scientific and technical guidance, support, coordination, and oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
• Process and review environmental permits, licenses, and related materials.
• Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
• Investigate and report on accidents affecting the environment.
• Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution control

Specializations

Environmental science deals with many areas as is comprehensible as environmental factors work in determining the way life would work in synchronization with the natural factors. For example, pollution is related to population, greenhouse effects are related to global warming, pollution is again related to ozone depletion which also contributes to Global warming. There is no definite demarcation between the branches of the study of Environmental Science, each overlaps on the scope of the other, yet to make things easier to grasp and to facilitate work upon them, the study of Environment Science has been divided into the following divisions: 

Environmental Microbiology is related to the study of microbes and their communities on the environment. It studies the composition and physiology of the microbes.

Ecology focuses on the examination of living organisms in the natural environment. It is related to the impact of the environment on the life, living and survival of various species of animals. It studies the reason as to why some species are becoming endangered or the reason behind the behavioural changes in some animals, which are considered as the changes to adjust with nature. Ecologists look at how organisms interact with the environment and each other, and they study the complex and interconnected systems which influence life on Earth. Ecology is also sometimes known as environmental biology, and there are a number of sub-disciplines within this branch of the sciences which deal with specific topics of interest, such as the relationship between humans and the natural environment.

Environmental Chemistry involves the study of the chemical part of the Environmental Science and deals with the chemical changes in water, air and soil that are being brought about by the changes in the environment.

Atmospheric Science as the name suggests is the study of the gaseous layer that covers the earth like a blanket and has a huge role to play in the earth’s environment. This is one branch of Environmental studies that is being worked upon on large scale.

Environmental Assessment is a branch of study that estimates and assesses the ways and methods to improve and enhance the environment.