Public awareness and interest in preservation and replenishment of the environmental resources has created a tremendous need for professionals trained in environment and allied fields. The problems related to the environment are manifold. Rapid exploitation of natural resources has led to depletion of forest cover, animal wealth, and forest produce. This has had repercussions on the ecological balance in nature, also on the availability of forest produce required as raw material for various products. Rapid industrilisation has created the problem of huge volumes of waste products from the industries that require to be treated before being released into the environment.
Environmental protection activities counteract the negative effects of technology and civilization-industrial failure, air and water toxicity, overcrowding, oil spills, asbestos, radon, the hole in the ozone layer, deforestation and ocean pollution, to name a few.
Environmental and natural resource careers offer diverse opportunities. It can mean working as an activist creating awareness, doing research and design (laboratory work) , policy formulation and administration, management of natural resources, installation and certification.
Nature of Work
In the field of environment, its control, conservation and management there is a variety of work that is directly related to a wide range of educational training, skills and experience, but with the underlying commitment to the cause of conservation of our environment.
Prevention of pollution of the air, land and water is the primary function of an environmentalist. They may have to carry out inspection of polluted sites, appraise extent/nature of damage, prepare reports and develop solutions. Lobbying and testifying in front of legislative committees speaking on preventive measures may also be a part of environmentalists’ duties. Finding ways to handle/ control pollution that has already occurred and to stave off new polluting
Incursions would be research responsibilities of environmentalists.
Environmental engineers must determine the exact nature of the problems, explaining the consequences if they are not rectified. They then outline the solution to the problem. Environmental engineers deal with the clean up or remediation of man-made contamination of the environment. This includes oil spills, chemical spills, dumping of toxic and hazardous waste. They may be responsible for finding ways and means of to keep landfills environmentally safe and designing waste treatment systems. They are involved with contaminated water, air and land.
Work Environment
Collection of evidence, leading to new conclusions, the application of all available techniques to test a hypothesis and the thrill of discovery are the charm of working with and for the environment. The earth, sea and in fact nature in its entirety is the laboratory, and one has the healthful exercise of fieldwork too. Environmentalists/environmental engineers would need to be involved in field work too to assess the situation first-hand. Hence, one should be comfortable with outdoor work and traveling. There is a lot of paper work too so office environment is naturally important.
There is a lot of interaction with scientists from various other fields and conferences/ seminars to attend.
Specialisations
Environmental engineering has grown out of the oldest branch of engineering- civil engineering. The field has widenedconsiderably going beyond water treatment, supply of potable water, disposal of human excreta, design of septic tanks, sewerage systems, to include air pollution, nuclear pollution, oil pollution, noise pollution, chemical contamination too.
Environmentalists study the earth’s water, interior and atmosphere as well as ;the environment in space. The primary function of an environmentalist is the prevention of pollution of the air, land and water. Environmentalists must undertake research to find ways to handle/control pollution that has already occurred and to stave off new polluting incursions.
Naturalists are the link between nature and the general public. Their primary role is to educate the public about the environment. They may also be known as environmental educators.
Ecoologists study the interconnections between organisms (plants, animals) and the Physical environment.
Physical and Psychological Requirements
A practical understanding of the physical sciences and a good aptitude for mathematics would be helpful for those interested in training to be environmental engineers. The ability to communicate in writing and speaking to other professionals as well as the layman is a basic requirement. Competition to get into the top engineering colleges is keen as also for Master’s degree courses so excellence in physics, chemistry and mathematics is crucial. Interest in social, economic and environmental developments; ability to work as one of a team, to handle paperwork as well as outdoors life are traits for success.
For entry into the field of environmental management one needs an overall scientific understanding of the environmental sciences plus managerial skills to coordinate the work of the various professionals and governemental/non-governmental organisations involved in the process.
Good health, ability to withstand some amount of physical hardship, stamina and commitment are needed for all environementalists.
Study/Training
Entry point for a career in environmental sciences and engineering would be after successful completion of Plus Two with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics although a Biology background could also suffice for a non-engtineering environmental training programme.
Training to be an environment engineer would require either a basic degree in civil/chemical engineering along with a Master’s degree in environmental engineering. The other route could be through an Environmental Science degree followed by ME/MTech in Environmental Engineering. A postgraduation would be the best bet. Doctoral studies would translate into scope for further advancement and better options, most definitely for research and teaching.
An environmentalist would usually be a graduate in Environment Science or related discipline. There is sharing of many methods with other fields of science-Geology, meteorology, marine geology, oceanography, the life sciences (botony, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry, biophysics) etc.- making the field of study multi-disciplinary in scope. Training as an environmentalist would mean a basic degree ( in a science college or agricultural university) followed by a Master’s degree in Environmental Science or allied field such as chemical/civil engineering, environmental studies, natural sciences or engineering management.
A naturalist would have to pursue education in subjects like chemistry, biology,
Botony, zoology, environmental science or forestry at the graduation level before proceeding to specialise is one at the Master’s degree level. Volunteering during holidays with the zoological parks, nature centres/ nature clubs would be a good idea.
Employment Prospects
Employment options for environmental engineers would be with private as well as government agencies and organisations. They could be working with hospitals and municipal corporations, public health organisations, energy industry, chemical industry, manufacturing industry, waste disposal agencies. Sometimes, they might be marketing and installing pollution control machinery/technology. Since cleaning up gets to be more expensive and difficult, they are needed to develop ways to prevent contamination of the environment in the first place.
For environmental scientists, work opportunities are with government agencies, consulting, private industry, mining companies, chemical companies, oil companies, NGOs etc.
With just the basic degree or a diploma one would be looking at employment with equipment manufacturers, companies manufacturing pollution control equipment. Specialists in this field will be required in the future in most settings with increasing and widespread pollution.
Naturalists could find work with nature parks, zoological parks, snake parks, bird parks, leading nature walks or conducting educational tours for schools/colleges, tourists etc.
In a multinational/global company with at least postgraduate qualifications you would be in the best salary bracket.
From the basic average starting of Rs.7,500 to Rs.9,500 with a first class graduate engineering degree, salaries would tend to be proportionate to the level of qualifications, the type of employer, job responsibilities and size of the business/organsiational activities. In the long run Masters or doctoral degree would be better for consulting and teaching options.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) TELCO, TISCO, BHEL, IDPL, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, Indian Toxicological Research Institute, Lucknow are among the institutions/organisations who employ environmentalists/environmental engineers/ technologists.
Career Progression
Career advancement is proportionate to academic training and relevant work experience. Those in government service get their promotions with the years of service they put in. In the private sector, efficiency and productivity would influence rise in the organisation.
Consultancy is the most lucrative field, no doubt about it. The best route to a consultancy would be to work in the field for a few years building up exposure and experience. You would then be in a better position. A postgraduate degree is important for you to keep your place secure and your professional standing foolproof.
Recycling and handling hazardous waste disposal could be the opportunities with a great future. Openings projected for the future and not as many openings at present in our country. In the Western world the present demand for environmentalists is very high, competition for academic postions is, however, extremely keen.
Environmental Science is a great industry to get involved in. With more and more companies becoming worried about their pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, there is a big desire for graduates. It is also a great work environment, in that you actually get to make a change for the better.