Gobar Times Magazine (Environment for Kids Monthly) - Centre for Science and Environment

Gobar times: Environment for Beginners

HOME

COVER STORY

LETTERS

GEAR FEAR

GOING PUBLIC

ARCHIVES

GT Special Editions

PLASTIC DREAMS

NOIDA, 2002

JAIPUR, 2002

AUTO EXPO, 2000

C O V E R S T O R Y

GREEN CAREERS

WANTED: Earthworkers
The Job: To save ourselves and the planet. The Candidate: Anyone with commitment and passion The Salary: Health, wealth and happiness

Some myths about Green Careers:
It is only for the 'environment fanatics' or those who have no other option. There is no variety in 'environment jobs'. Opportunities are limited.

And some more
Does not offer decent salaries or other perks. You have to be specially trained to become an 'environmentalist'. It is poles apart from any other more 'traditional careers'.

Pandit ji: You have known me for a decade now, right? Of course you do… it’s the 10th anniversary year of Gobar Times, remember? Time for some serious review of our relationship, huh? So readers, we have been chatting nineteen to the dozen each month, all these years. About everything that has got anything to do with ‘environment’. It must be pretty obvious to you by now that I breathe, eat and drink environment. Did you also guess that I make a living out of it? Oh yes, environment is my bread and butter.

Cecila: So it’s something you really enjoy doing, and you manage to earn money too? Tell me more...

Pandit ji: But I am hardly a unique case. Millions of people around the world have made careers out of environment. Many more are joining the league everyday. And our job profiles are not similar in anyway. In fact, the environment sector offers an astounding variety of jobs. The growth in these careers in recent years has been phenomenal.

Adarsh: Why this sudden spurt Pandit ji?

Pandit ji: You see, environment has emerged as a key issue in almost all sections of economy. Everyone is beginning to realise that developing more efficient processes, using fewer resources and producing less waste are the only options available to human beings!

	Where are the jobs?

	Government Sector - The Regulators, The Policy-Makers, The Promoters Government Departments Government Agencies Local Authorities Business Sector - The Producers, The Regulated, The Contractors, The Advisers Multinational Businesses Large Businesses Manufacturing Businesses Service Businesses Small to Medium Sized Enterprises Consultancy Businesses Voluntary Sector - The Promoters, The Partners, The Managers, The Advisers National and local Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Local Community organisations International NGOs Education Sector – The Educators, The Trainers, The Researchers Schools, Colleges and Universities Research Institutions: public or private. Communications sector: The media Print- Newspapers, magazines Broadcast - TV, Radio Digital- internet, multi-media

There’s more. Environment now plays a vital role in policy planning. The government manages education, health, and transport . It is bound by a range of national and global regulations that demand that these services are provided in a way that is sustainable — environmentally. No wonder every employer is looking out for green experts!

Cecilia: But Pandit ji, would students really be interested in making a career in environment?

Pandit ji: Well, they are, and they should be. First of all, all jobs can be linked to this sector. You can be a journalist, a lawyer, a business executive, and still be a practicing environmentalist. At the same time, new areas of expertise are developing in this field. Universities and institutions are coming up with specialised courses on green engineering, management and auditing.

Cecilia: Frankly, I want to work in a field that would give me a lot of recognition and good money.

Pandit ji: But you can do both…earn a comfortable living, and be a responsible global citizen. The global environmental market is expected to exceed US $700 billion by 2010. In India alone, it would rise to US $7 billion. So there is a boom.

Cecilia: Well, there’s still a problem. I’m not a science student. So, I cannot take environment as a subject.

Pandit ji: Completely untrue. Environment is not just one subject per se. It is related, directly or indirectly, to all the disciplines we study. A journalist reporting on environmental issues is a green professional, just like an environmental engineer.

Next page

1 2 3