Navigating Environmental Consulting: Balancing Protection, Trends, and Client Needs

Written by Sean Nemser

As an environmental consultant at Gallagher Bassett, I've had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects that aim to protect the environment while also considering the economic and operational constraints of our clients.

It's a challenging but rewarding field that requires a deep understanding of environmental regulations, emerging trends, and data analysis. In this article, I'll share some insights into the role of environmental audits, balancing environmental protection with client needs, emerging trends, and the importance of data analysis in our work.

The Crucial Role of Environmental Audits

Environmental audits are a critical first step in the consulting process. They help us understand the history and background of a site, as well as the current conditions that may be contributing to environmental concerns.

The main purpose of an audit is to identify the objectives or goals of the assessment, which can vary widely from achieving regulatory compliance to addressing employee health and safety concerns. The audit provides us with the relevant documentation and site conditions, which we then use to develop an assessment protocol and procedure. This information is essential for identifying potential environmental risks and liabilities, as well as opportunities for improving environmental performance and sustainability practices.

Balancing Environmental Protection with Client Needs

One of the biggest challenges in environmental consulting is balancing the need for environmental protection with the economic and operational constraints of our clients.

As the famous French writer/philosopher Voltaire said, “Perfect is the enemy of good.”

While we should always strive for the perfect solution, we can't let that get in the way of taking action. Our approach is to identify the point of diminishing returns, or what we call the No Observable Adverse Effects Level (NOAEL). This is the concentration of a substance or condition at which known data doesn't indicate negative outcomes for individuals or ecosystems. By aiming for a series of NOAELs, we can achieve broader success in environmental protection than by trying to tackle one problem to perfection while neglecting others.

Emerging Trends in Environmental Consulting

One of the emerging trends in environmental consulting is the use of new technology and data interpretation criteria.

While these tools can offer new ways to look at old problems, it's important not to rely on them at the expense of basic consulting principles. The most important part of an environmental inspection is performing a visual assessment with your own eyes. If you're too focused on a meter or monitoring equipment, it can become a distraction rather than an asset. The purpose of these tools is to assist in the visual inspection, not to replace it.

The Importance of Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data analysis and interpretation are the real tricks of consulting. Anyone can collect data, but it takes skill and experience to turn that data into actionable insights and recommendations.

The key is to sift through the data and pick out the pieces that are relevant to the project at hand. For example, if we're performing exposure monitoring, we want to look at the compounds that approach action levels indicating a potential hazard.

If we're performing a building inspection, we want to know where potential hazards may exist and compare that to where occupants frequent. But, most importantly, we want to prepare a written report that allows an end user with little to no experience in the field to understand the purpose, conclusions, and recommendations of the final report. That's what separates an environmental scientist from an environmental consultant.

A Success Story: Helping a Single Mother

While our industry mainly focuses on large-scale environmental consulting problems, it's important not to forget that people are involved as well. One of the things I strive to do at least once a year is to help an individual with an environmental issue.

In one case, I was able to assist a single mother who lived in a small home with her young daughter and was experiencing a transient odor that would come and go at random intervals.

After some investigation, we discovered that a tree root had grown into the main drain pipe and cracked it, leading to the odor seeping into the house through the plumbing drain. The client had the pipe repaired, and the odor went away. While I never spoke to the client again, I was happy that I was able to help someone on a personal level.

My path to environmental consulting

How I got here? It was somewhat serendipitous. After graduating with a degree in civil engineering, I applied to an environmental consulting firm on a whim and was hired almost immediately.

As I spent time in the field learning about air quality and industrial hygiene, I realized that I liked the work and that my engineering background qualified me for every high-level license in the field. With the help of our department's senior leadership, many of whom I've worked with for almost 15 years and consider friends, we've built what we consider to be the premier environmental consulting team in Florida.

Environmental consulting is a challenging but rewarding field that requires a balance of technical expertise, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. By conducting thorough audits, balancing environmental protection with client needs, staying on top of emerging trends, and skillfully analyzing and interpreting data, we can help our clients navigate complex environmental regulations and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. And by remembering the human element of our work, we can make a real difference in people's lives.

To register your interest in working with us, click here: https://jobs.ajg.com/GBTS-registration-of-interest/talentcommunity