Studies of environmental science and technology frequently bring together research scientists who study natural processes with engineers who create machines or systems that meet environmental goals, creating some of the most remarkable advancements in modern industry. Such collaboration can yield some incredible innovations.
ES&T is a biweekly, peer-reviewed scientific journal covering research in environmental science and technology and environmental policy.
Research and Development
To mitigate any environmental harm incurred from human commercial activities, experts from various scientific and technology fields must collaborate to find solutions. This cooperation often falls under the rubric of research and development in environmental science; however, it can extend into areas as diverse as crop development, oil exploration/drilling/fracking operations, and alternative energy development like solar cell manufacturing. While environmental scientists investigate why ecological changes occur, technology engineers focus on providing practical solutions to existing problems.
Soil chemistry provides an invaluable way to comprehend environmental change on Earth better. Soil performs essential ecological functions, such as feeding and filtering water, recycling wastes, and nurturing plants while altering atmospheric conditions by emitting or sequestering gases and particulates, providing habitat for thousands of diverse biological communities, and providing ecosystem health assessments and land use planning guidance. Therefore, studying soil chemistry offers a vital means of anticipating climate change adaptation, ecosystem health assessments, and land use planning decisions.
Humans have increasingly become aware of their impact on the environment, leading to various movements that utilize science and technology in pursuit of sustainability. These initiatives all share the common belief that society’s development goals must meet the planet’s environmental limits long term; knowledge must also be developed collaboratively between scholars and practitioners for it to be beneficial.
With world concerns growing about global warming and pollution, experts in environmental science are in ever-greater demand. Graduates can find jobs at government, private and international organizations, work for non-government organizations (NGOs ) or start their consultancy practice; those with advanced degrees often specialize in climate change mitigation, environmental protection, or conservation of air, water, or soil resources. Their specialism makes them in high demand with very lucrative salaries and many travel opportunities around the globe.
Engineering
Engineering’s primary purpose is to find practical solutions to environmental problems. Engineers work hand in hand with scientists, using research results to design new machines or systems and field experience to suggest changes that might improve efficiency, safety, or ecological impact. Many companies employ research scientists and engineers, allowing cross-training between various fields.
Environmental science and technology encompass a range of engineering specializations, such as civil, chemical, industrial, agricultural, biomedical, petroleum, electronics, acoustic, and space engineering. Furthermore, more specialized fields like water resources management, geological exploration, geotechnical engineering, and nanotechnology have also emerged to meet this challenge.
Environmental science and technology began its rise during the 1960s, spurred on by Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring” and significant ecological events like the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and the Cleveland Cuyahoga River fire. Substantial environmental laws were passed while researchers collected evidence about human activity’s impacts on natural resources and ecosystems.
Researchers are studying the impacts of climate change on Earth’s environment. To comprehend carbon dioxide’s presence in our atmosphere, physicists develop computer models of atmospheric circulation; chemists compile an inventory of gases found within it; and biologists explore relationships between vegetation and animal life on Earth.
Soil is a complex biological system, performing vital ecological roles like providing water and recycling wastes while nurturing plants. Therefore, its health is intrinsically tied to the entire biosphere; environmental scientists strive to understand factors that impact its properties and processes to improve land management practices and find sustainable uses.
Environmental Science & Technology publishes articles covering all aspects of environmentalism through scientific, technological, and political means. As an international peer-reviewed journal with ISSN number 0013936X it publishes every other week and features on JournalGuide’s list of highly reputable journals with immediate open access through AuthorChoice.
Technology Management
Environment science and technology offer many career opportunities for scientists with technical skills to address real-world problems and an affinity for protecting Earth’s resources. Students studying environmental science are often recruited by mines, fertilizer plants, power companies, waste management facilities, or any business that regularly interacts with the environment – including those using it regularly themselves! Furthermore, doctoral degrees can also be pursued within this discipline.
Environmental science and technology encompasses both human impacts on nature and scientific and technological solutions for improving environmental quality. This discipline examines air, soil, and water quality – as well as their interaction with society – with environmental research looking into causes of ecological change. In contrast, environmental technology seeks practical solutions to today’s environmental problems.
Illinois Tech students in the Environmental Science and Technology major can choose from an impressive array of courses, such as Ecological Technology Design. This class equips students to design and construct sustainable systems in the built environment that improve the environmental conditions for humans and ecosystems. Illinois Tech also offers a rigorous curriculum, hands-on projects, service learning experiences, and required internships and practicums to complete this major.
Environmental science and technology encompasses various disciplines such as ecology, conservation biology, and pollution prevention. Ecology provides students with an understanding of ecosystems’ function as well as species relationships; conservation biology deals with safeguarding endangered species and natural habitats; while pollution prevention seeks to decrease pollution released into the environment by individuals.
Graduate programs in environmental science and technology operate under the principle that understanding natural science principles is critical to effectively solving ecological problems. These programs combine chemistry, physics, biology, and math coursework, as well as courses that explore our impact on nature as a species – while some classes may also be available on campus – with various modules being completed online and some being held at physical locations.
Policy
Human activities increasingly impact our natural environments, making balancing environmental preservation and economic growth increasingly challenging. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was instrumental in raising public awareness of ecological science; moreover, the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill resulted in several pieces of environmental legislation; the discovery of the hole in the ozone layer also caused significant policy adjustments.
Scientific research can be invaluable in identifying and mitigating environmental risks; however, finding an acceptable balance between scientific knowledge and political decision-making remains challenging. While methods like the scientific method, replication, and peer review aim to establish facts quickly, many people cannot differentiate fact from fiction and think any attempt at connecting science with politics is biased or ideology-fueled.
Though strides have been made in reducing point-source pollution such as automobile emissions, factory smokestack emissions, and sewage discharges, it has proven more challenging to address environmental degradation on a broader scale due to human commercial activity requiring natural materials for construction cars, power generation, or manufacturing chemicals.
To meet these emerging challenges, scientists must be able to recognize and take advantage of policy windows that facilitate the uptake of scientific knowledge. Below are several tips for taking advantage of such windows:
Discovering emerging windows requires anticipating when they may occur, which can be accomplished by monitoring news media for issues that will likely appear on policy agendas and have environmental ramifications. Conducting legislative horizon scans on global, national, or supranational levels may reveal problems that will soon be discussed and help scientists prepare scientific outputs in advance.
Environmental Science and Technology researchers at Marist emphasize applying cutting-edge science in practical ways in real world applications, with hands-on learning both inside the classroom and out in the field. Our students also participate in internships that complement their future goals – particularly at Fern Tor Nature Preserve, where they care for the land, its plants, and wildlife while learning the significance of conservation.
