Environmental science is interdisciplinary, drawing from many scientific areas to better understand environmental issues that have been caused by humans as well as natural activity. It is the study of the interaction between biological, chemical, and physical components of the environment and their effects on all organisms. Environmental scientists use scientific principles, methodologies, and tools to identify and analyze environmental problems and solutions—such as cleaning up oil spills, the elimination of radioactive waste, and the reduction of toxic chemicals created during industrial processes. Because many environmental problems cover multiple scientific areas, environmental scientists often consult with other scientists and may also work in teams that consist of scientists who specialize in different areas.
Environmental scientists are knowledgeable about biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, and earth sciences such as geology. They are also well versed in social science, political science, economics, and environmental legislation and policies. They collect and assess data for governmental agencies, industry, environmental programs, and the general public. Depending on their specialty, they gather soil, water, or air samples to identify, abate, or eliminate sources of pollutants or hazards that affect the environment and or human health. Their work may be used to help design and monitor waste disposal sites, preserve water supplies, and reclaim contaminated land and water so that it complies with state and federal environmental regulations. Another large part of their job entails identifying and assessing risks, and writing risk assessments based on their findings. In these assessments, they describe risks that may occur from construction and other environmental changes. They also write technical proposals and give presentations to managers and regulators.
The issues environmental scientists are called on to help address may include global warming and other global climate change problems, energy and natural resource depletion, the effects that energy exploration and extraction techniques such as deep-sea drilling and fracking have on the environment, air or water pollution, soil erosion, deforestation, coral reef damage, habitat destruction, the spread of infectious disease, pesticide-resistant bugs, and monitoring and safely disposing of waste. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, environmental scientists are similar to physical and life scientists in the training they receive and work they do, but the difference is that they focus on environmental issues. They specialize in subfields such as environmental biology or chemistry, environmental ecology and conservation, or fisheries science. There are many job titles within the category of environmental science. Environmental ecologists, for example, study the interrelationship between organisms and their environments. They examine the effects of population size, pollutants, precipitation, climate, and other factors on both the organisms and environments. Ecological modelers use mathematical modeling, systems analysis, thermodynamics, and computer techniques to study ecosystems, pollution control, and resource management. Climate change analysts conduct research to determine how the changing climate is effecting ecosystems. Environmental chemists study chemical toxicity, examining the effects these chemicals have on people, animals, and plants. Geoscientists are environmental scientists who study the earth. Other aspects of environmental scientists' work include processing and reviewing environmental permits, licenses, and related materials; reviewing and implementing environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet requirements; and investigating and reporting on accidents that affect the environment.
Environmental scientists use a variety of tools in their work, such as digital mapping, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and global positioning systems (GPS). They may use air samplers or collectors, radiation detectors, soil core samplers, water samplers and analyzers. Depending on their specialty, the technology they use might include pollution modeling software and emissions tracking software. Some of the computer software programs environmental scientists need to be well versed in are AutoCAD, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Visual Basic, among others, and various map creation software programs.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Animal Behaviorists
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Aquaculturists
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Astrobiologists
- Astrogeologists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Bioinformatics Specialists
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biophysicists
- Biosecurity Monitors
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Biotechnology Research Assistants
- Botanists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Business Managers
- Cartographers
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- CRISPR Scientists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Drug Developers
- Ecologists
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Consultants
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Epidemiologists
- Epigenetics Researchers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Fuel Cell Technology Workers
- Futurists
- Genetic Counselors
- Genetic Engineers
- Genetic Genealogists
- Genetic Scientists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Marine Biologists
- Medical Scientists
- Meteorologists
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Neuroscientists
- Nuclear Medicine Physicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
- Pathologists
- Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Refuse Collectors
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Rewilders
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Solar Energy Industry Workers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Veterinarians
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Industry Workers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists