The study of how nature and humans are linked together, and how human actions can help or hurt the world we live in. Environmental scientists use biology, physics, geology, social sciences, and more to solve problems like climate change and biodiversity loss.
Median annual salary
$0
People employed U.S.
0
Job growth score (out of 100)
0
What would you do?
Measure the world through sensors or fieldwork
Simulate climate change and nature on computers
Develop solutions to problems like pollution and waste
Report about findings to governments and companies
Educate and advocate to implement solutions in the real world
Relationship toclimate change
Environmental science is the key to tracking climate change and discovering ways to help our planet
To fight climate change, environmental scientists…
Track climate change
• Gather measurements of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
• Monitor glacier melting
• Track global temperature and sea level
• Analyze satellite imagery to fight deforestation
Create plans to solve climate change
• Conduct assessment reports on the environment
• Enact community and city policy for sustainability
• Advise companies about climate change
Design solutions
• Look at holistically at economies and ecosystems to find ways to benefit both
• Study carbon sequestration in forests and wetlands
• Create new solutions for sectors that are lagging behind
Advocate for sustainability
• Educate students about fighting climate change
• Study consumer habits and advocate for a sustainable culture
Use environmental science for these climate change solutions…
Kristen Averyt is the Executive Vice President of Science at the American Geophysical Union, the largest association of Earth and space scientists in the world. She has also applied environmental science as a Drought Director for the Biden Administration and as a member of the Nobel-Prize-winning IPCC group. Outside of environmental science, she loves the ocean and has always dreamed of being an astronaut.
GetStarted
Environmental science is a great fit if you’re interested in a wide range of sciences, nature, understanding how the world works, and communicating ideas. Explore classes and project ideas to get started:
Recommended classes
High school:
AP Environmental Science
Chemistry (H)
AP Chemistry
Physics (H)
AP Physics 1/2
AP Physics C
Biology (H)
AP Biology
Geometry (H)
Precalc/Trigonometry (H)
AP Calculus
Statistics
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
Government
AP Seminar (helpful)
AP Research (helpful)
Project ideas
Explore and analyze online datasets on emissions
Look at microplastics in water or soil samples
Map the biodiversity in a specific region
Provide feedback on local environmental policy
Create a scaled model of an ecosystem
