You're an environmental engineer. How can you help fight climate change?

1 Clean energy

One of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions is the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and transportation. As an environmental engineer, you can help develop and optimize renewable energy systems, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and bioenergy. You can also design and improve energy efficiency and conservation measures, such as smart grids, demand response, and green buildings. By supporting the transition to clean energy, you can help reduce the carbon footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

2 Waste management

Another source of greenhouse gas emissions is the generation and disposal of waste, especially organic waste that decomposes and releases methane. As an environmental engineer, you can help design and implement waste management strategies that minimize waste generation, maximize resource recovery, and prevent pollution. You can also apply your skills to convert waste into valuable products, such as biogas, compost, and biochar. By managing waste properly, you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, and create circular economies.

4 Ecosystem services

Climate change also threatens the functioning and diversity of ecosystems, which provide valuable services to humans and the environment, such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, pollination, and erosion control. As an environmental engineer, you can help restore and protect ecosystems that are vulnerable to climate change, such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, and coral reefs. You can also design and implement nature-based solutions that use ecosystems to address climate change challenges, such as green infrastructure, urban forestry, and ecological engineering. By restoring and protecting ecosystems, you can help increase carbon sinks, preserve biodiversity, and enhance resilience.

5 Climate action

Finally, as an environmental engineer, you can help promote and support climate action at various levels, from individual to global. You can use your expertise to educate and engage others about the causes and consequences of climate change, and the solutions and opportunities that exist. You can also use your influence to advocate and collaborate with stakeholders from different sectors and disciplines to develop and implement climate policies, plans, and projects. By promoting and supporting climate action, you can help raise awareness, mobilize resources, and foster innovation.

As you can see, environmental engineering is a rewarding and impactful career that can help fight climate change in many ways. If you are passionate about solving environmental problems and creating a better future, environmental engineering might be the right choice for you.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?