I chose to pursue an Environmental Studies major. I liked the idea of an interdisciplinary program which drew concepts from several different fields. Environmental issues are found in all kinds of fields, from geology and biology to public policy and law, so many colleges also offer Environmental Studies concentrations or minor programs to go with a more traditional scientific or policy-based major. For instance, I could have majored in biology and minored in environmental studies while taking many of the same interesting and insightful classes.
But what exactly is Environmental Studies? According to our website, "Environmental Studies connects key concepts from many disciplines in an environmental context, providing a framework for the study of ecosystems and human interaction with the Earth." Environmental challenges face every business, agency and institution - from the decision of whether to recycle junk mail at the smallest two-person office, to the decision of how to cost-effectively comply with complex environmental regulations in big industry. Part of the idea of majoring in Environmental Studies is to be better prepared for a wide array of challenges.
The environmental profession often requires cooperation and negotiation between very different groups with very different, sometimes conflicting interests (for example, between regulators, the regulated, and citizen watchdogs). It is important to be open-minded and willing to compromise. One valuable tool is to learn to see the other party's perspective, to understand why they are so adamant about a certain point, and to use that understanding to your advantage while solving the issue.
Environmental studies students learn that the various fields of science, technology, and human relations are interrelated on many levels. Decisions made in one field are invariably felt in another. For example, when scientists and policymakers work to pass new environmental legislation, the new laws may raise costs for consumers or the higher cost of complying may mean a loss of jobs - these issues will be taken into consideration when laws are made, and lawmakers will work to "soften the blow" for their constituents. ES students are always "learning about what the issues are, the many causes of each issue, where issues are and what kinds of careers are out there," says Dr. Gail Grabowsky of Chaminade University in Hawaii.
Environmental problems can be found anywhere in the world. In many ways, the so-called developed nations are far ahead of the rest of the world in terms of remediation and prevention of environmental disasters. However, in poorer areas of the world, where the immediate needs of humans often supercede those of the environment, pollution and injustice can run unchecked for decades. Environmental Studies graduates are needed to come up with innovative and effective solutions to these kinds of difficult problems.