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Environmental sustainability and conservation of nature to protect the ecosystem and other natural resources for the future is very important and is our social responsibility.
This is why many organizations and institutions have taken it upon themselves to enlighten people about the impact of some of our activities on the planet and ways to keep it safe through green campaigns and degrees.
If you are interested in impacting the ecosystem positively and developing a sustainable business through it, this article explores the best green degrees you can pursue.
What Does a Green Degree Mean?
A green degree can also be referred to as a sustainability degree. This is an educational degree that merges the business and economics sector with the environmental, social, and cultural sectors.
Students who enrol in green degrees are taught various business concepts and technical skills that will earn profit and advance sustainability. In other words, students are taught how to manage businesses while making a difference in their societies and solving some world problems.
A green degree curriculum combines courses from different fields such as environmental science, business, social sciences, and even maths.
Why get a Green Degree?
A green degree is a great option if you’re considering a career in sustainable business or corporate social responsibility. You will learn courses like emissions, proper waste disposal and usage, supply chains, and community engagement.
You will also learn the basics of business, the technologies you can use to create a positive environmental impact.
Top 10 Best Green Degrees
1. Environmental Engineering.
This degree focuses on infrastructure and the development of processes involved in the supply of water, the control, and prevention of water pollution, and the disposal of waste.
2. Environmental Architecture.
This degree is concerned with preventing the negative impacts that buildings have on the environment. This degree teaches the use of eco-friendly materials, in building projects.
3. Environmental Law.
Environmental law is the aspect of the law that protects the environment by environmental legal principles.
4. Environmental Health Science.
Environmental health science is the study of the environment and agents that are hazardous to the environment. This degree also involves identifying and analyzing the physical, chemical, and biological agents in the environment that can affect health.
5. Horticulture.
This field involves the development of sustainable production and modern technologies to cultivate food and ornamental plants.
6. Climate Degrees.
Climate degrees teach students about climate change, how human activities affect the climate and how to avoid activities that affect climate negatively.
READ ALSO: Environmental Technician | How To Become One, Job Description, Salary, Skills & More.
7. Marine Science.
This is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors, and the environment they inhabit. Marine science also involves the study of oceanography; the physical and geological elements.
8. Agricultural Science Degree.
Agricultural science degree involves the study of plant and food science, animal husbandry, farming, and veterinary medicine.
9. Environmental Science.
Environmental science involves the study of environmental problems at a local and global, level. This degree covers areas such as geography, environmental biology, geology, earth and soil sciences, and resource management.
10. Wildlife Ecology.
Wildlife ecology is the study of animal life, species, behavior, population, and their environment. It also involves the study of land management, forest ecology, and preservation.
Institutions that offer Green Degrees.
Many institutions are gradually joining the group of schools that offer green degrees. Some of these institutions include;
1. Green River College
Green River College is a public institution that offers degrees in courses such as natural resources and water management. These courses will teach you everything about forestry, water quality, and park management.
For students who are pursuing green degrees in this institution, it is advisable to use the Green River college degree audit tool. The Green River degree audit allows you to keep track of your coursework and completion of your program.
2. Champlain College.
Champlain college established the ‘Support Champlain‘ initiative to promote ‘green activities‘ on campus. This institution offers courses that are focused on teaching its students about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ways to be environmentally responsible.
3. Emory University.
Emory University encourages its students to use more sustainable methods of transportation because it aims at promoting sustainability. A green degree in Emory University teaches students climate, green buildings, food and water product, and waste management.
4. Wesleyan University.
Wesleyan University’s goal is to promote environmental sustainability. The university does this by promoting and sponsoring events that are focused on creating awareness about sustainability.
This university has also made it compulsory that 35% of all departments in the institution offer at least one sustainability course and 12% of all courses taught are about sustainability and waste management.
5. Arizona State University.
ASU has an institute called the Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability. This institute promotes research, education, and sustainable business practices.
6. The University of Dayton.
The University of Dayton tried to develop sustainability through courses such as Urban sustainability, Food systems, Energy science, etc. The school also promotes various “green activities” that involve the students on campus.
7. Bates College.
Bates college is the first institution to use renewable fuel after it achieved carbon neutrality. The college’s dining offers organic meals mostly from products gotten from the organic students’ community garden.
8. The University of Virginia.
The University of Virginia offers over 130 courses that are green-related and has about 300 working green-related area faculties. The university is also working towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and fossil fuel freedom by 2050.
9. St. Louis University.
St Louis University promotes environmental sustainability in various career paths through courses such as Environmental engineering, environmental health science, environmental law, etc.
10. University at Buffalo.
University at Buffalo provides its students with the opportunities to research issues that concern the ecosystem and the planet.
The students also research ways to achieve renewable energy and make it affordable to communities that need it, ways to increase the availability of healthy food and decrease the level of carbon dioxide released in the process of transporting these foods. The university’s goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.
Other schools that specialize in environmental sustainability include the University of Minnesota, University of San Diego, Harvard Business School, University of North Carolina, University of North Texas, and many others.
Why pursue a green degree?
Environmental sustainability has become an important part of our lives and businesses. The knowledge and the skills you will acquire from the degree will help you start a successful sustainable career and give you an added advantage while looking for a job.
This is because many organizations now incorporate sustainability principles in their business goals.
Working in the sustainability sector is financially rewarding as a result of the fast-growing labor market.
This degree also allows you to change your career paths when you need to. This is because you know various areas of sustainability that can be applied to various sectors.
As a result of environmental degradation and limited resources, there is an increase in the rates of global poverty and refugees. It allows you to study in areas like social impact, and global sustainability, which leads to careers that combat poverty in the future.
With this degree, you can boost the economy by creating job opportunities in different aspects of sustainability and helping to reduce unemployment. You can also impact your community by using your knowledge to improve public health by encouraging and developing green activities.
With further advancement in studies, you can become a college or university lecturer and teach students who aspire to follow that career path. You can as well start a private practice as a sustainability consultant or develop a legalized cannabis dispensary like the Green Degree Wasilla.
Green Degree Jobs
With this degree, you can work in various sectors that have to do with business and environmental development. You can get jobs such as;
Green Architecture.
Green Architecture. This job specializes in using sustainable building materials and methods to design buildings that are not dangerous to the soil, air, water, and public health.
READ ALSO: 16 Best Interior Design Schools Worth Applying To | 2021.
Landscape design.
This involves designing landscapes that can preserve the environment and ecology and also provide clean air and water.
Environmental engineering
Environmental engineering has to do with developing methods of protecting and sustaining environmental sustainability and public health.
Environmental health science.
This job specializes in protecting public health through research on activities that can affect human health and solution to public health problems. It concentrates on areas like health biology, climate, food and water supply, etc.
How Much Can You Earn With a Green Degree?
Most careers with this degree earn above-average salaries. According to PayScale as of April 2021, environmental consultants earn about $58,050 per year, environmental engineers earn around $66,370 per year, and environmental project managers earn an average of average $72,626 yearly.
Conclusion.
Pursuing a career path in any of the sustainable development goals is not just rewarding to you, it also provides you with the opportunity to contribute towards a better world. You can also pursue a Master’s or Doctorate in sustainable business degree, Environmental Management, or any other sustainability courses after you have earned your bachelor’s degree. This will give you a better chance of gaining employment.
However, A career in Green Degree is worth it if you are interested in impacting the ecosystem positively and developing a sustainable business through it. This will further mitigate the risk associated with climate changes and addresses business, environmental, economic, social, and cultural problems.
FAQs
Is a sustainability degree a good choice?
Yes. This is because it is a fast-growing and promising sector.
Is it hard to obtain a green degree?
No, earning a sustainability degree is quite easy to obtain.
Can I get a job with a green degree?
Yes, there are many job opportunities in the sustainability sector.
Can I work in environmental science without a degree?
A relevant degree is often required but there are some alternatives if you want to start work as soon as possible. For example, you could get an environmental health technician job without going to university, then study for a degree while you work if you want to progress up to the environmental health officer level.
How much can i earn with a green degree?
According to PayScale as of April 2021, environmental consultants earn about $58,050 per year, environmental engineers earn around $66,370 per year, and environmental project managers earn an average of average $72,626 yearly.
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