Climate-Change Management: Managing the Environment

The world is gradually moving from fossil fuel to greener substitutes. The western European countries’ governments especially are spending millions of Euros on alternative power source. However, one can not deny the need of fossil fuel to keep the world moving on. Whether we like it or not, Oil and Gas are the still the basic source for all our primary energy needs – 65% to be precise.

Even though developed countries are looking for alternative, renewable energy, it will be unfair to expect the same from the developing countries to follow suit. Growing economies like China and India have rapidly increased their fuel consumption, resulting in even higher demands. The technology and reliability of renewable energy use on a widespread commercial basis are not yet established nor are expected to be for several decades. Exorbitant cost is another major factor.

The best bet in view of the environmental effects like Global Warming, is that we should be more responsible towards the nature before we disturb its fine balance. This new sense of responsibility has given rise to academic fields like Climate Change Management and allied jobs in the Oil and Gas sector like Environmental Engineer, Environmental Geologist and Environmental Scientist for Petroleum etc.

Presently, a large portion of money is being pumped into the climate-change management studies is flowing from government sponsored grants apart from corporate or academic Research & Development. The U.S. Global Change Research Program has invested almost $20 billion in the areas of climate change and global change research. As we speak, more and more corporations are jumping into the foray to get access to specialists who can help them anticipate and mitigate the business impact of climate change.

The field is relatively new – not just as a course of study, but also as a career path. However, one can find many related environmental services jobs, drawn from diverse disciplines such as meteorology, geology and engineering. Companies are in a lookout for environmentally-savvy managers who can deliver energy efficiency, low carbon emission, smart buildings as well as sustainable business practices. Many of these corporations are willing to pay a premium to get out in front of the macro trend. Most of the current entry-level jobs demands academic qualifications like a bachelor’s degree in engineering or environmental fields or even a science-related graduate degree. If you can mix environmental management with a business degree, there is a lot of scope.

If you’re prospecting for work, bear in mind that there’s no environmental job gold rush yet but if you are the type to plan ahead, this is a career path destined for important things.