Environmentalist
Keeping nature Evergreen!
The greatest satisfaction for them is to observe how people’s attitude changes towards the environment, once awareness spreads. Looming issues like ‘global warming’ and ‘recycling paper’ ‘going green’, and ‘narmada Bachao’ are some among the first thoughts o hit us when we think of environmentalists! Simultaneously it also rightly strikes many, that has it not been for them, doom’s day on earth may have come by now. Environmentalists can be described as individuals who are passionate about the environment and its enthralling facets. They believe that y educating the public about the wasteful and thoughtless exploitation of its natural resources and hazards it faces from mankind they can keep the environment clean, healthy and safe.
Qualities
Love for nature, analytical and logical abilities, scientific orientation, dedication, commitment, good written and verbal communication skills, good presentation abilities, urge to awareness and diligence are pre-requisites of the field. Add to these, persuasion and convincing ability, leadership skill, a strong understanding of public policy, determination. Will to succeed despite initial failures, ability to handle financial resources and finally willingness to travel for work.
Qualification and training
Many among those who enter the field have a background in natural sciences, psychology, sociology or even economics. However securing a speciific under-graduate, post graduate, degree/diploma followed by a Doctoral degree in environment science certainly proves advantages. Programs on environmental science stress on subjects like environmental policy, subjects like, environmental policy political analysis, statistics, geography, biology, conservation and land use, environmental economics and chemistry are available for those seeking o specialize in the subjects. It is imperative as an environmentalist, even after acquiring necessary qualifications to keep ones elf updated and continuously educated on the latest happenings and developments in an ever-changing environment. Before getting engaged in a job, it is advisable that candidates first secure an internship, to get a launch pad to build good contracts and learn hands on work.
Job profile and career prospects
The job responsibilities of an environmental scientist essentially depend on the specialization, as to whether he/she is an environmental researcher, policy-determiner scientist, environmental lawyer, environmental public relations specialists, environment administrator or even an environmental instructor. Their work arena is wide and they work in varied capacities, handling responsibilities that are diverse. These may vary from understanding environmental issues generating awareness about these by preparing reports, interviewing persons, being involved in fact finding exercises, writing articles, delivering lectures, organizing events, sending out press releases to media persons and organizing campaign for the purpose . Additionally, they may also need to lobby, influence and participate in policy making, raise funds for projects, do back, office work, analyze existent policies and conduct vital research work in laboratories or offices. Most environmentalists are found in wok arenas of waste management, wildlife conservation, engineering set-ups, enterprises selling environmentally friendly products animal husbandry and fishery management departments or services and educational institutions teaching the subject.
Pros and cons
Majority veterans in the sphere claim that nature they are driven by a love for nature and the desire to conserve and protect nature for prosperity. The greatest satisfaction for them is to observe how people’s attitude changes towards the environment, once awareness spreads. Like social workers, environmentalists are also paid and have plentiful job prospects to choose from. It is certainly a sphere that is growing everyday in India and abroad. Yet, some of its drawbacks like long hours of work, difficult and pressurizing work environments, severely under-funded work situations and extremely slow pace of progress, can pose to be cause for frustration and despondency sometimes.
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