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Pandit ji: So you see, all these green professionals come from all sorts of backgrounds. Some have consciously made the decision of working in
the field of environment, while some have just flown with the tide. In some cases linking up with real life issues was a smooth process. Others
explored unchartered territories, and created their own space. But each one of them is meaningfully engaged. With hardwork and dedication, all
of them have made a difference in their lives and in the world around them. And they have not compromised in any way – financially or in relation
to job satisfaction. Cecilia: Hmm. It is surely motivating… But then, what are the options available to us after studying environment? I mean, what do these green professionals actually do? Pandit ji: Good question. Here are some examples that would help you to understand what green professions are all about…  ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER Environmental engineers apply science and engineering principles to improve the environment, to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and other organisms, and to control pollution. Few of its main concerns are water and air pollution control, recycling, waste management and disposal, public health issues, studies on the environmental impact of proposed construction projects (Environment Impact Assessment). For more: http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/environmental.html http://www.ieindia.org/
BIO-ENGINEER Bio-engineers study both mechanical instrumentation (maths, physics) and living systems (ecology, biology, chemistry). Bio-physics, Bio-chemistry, molecular biology, genetic engineering, ecological sciences are related fields of study. (Remember the story on genes and genetic engineering in Gobar Times issue dated April 2008?) For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20050630/ green-careers.htm http://www.gobartimes.org/ 20080415/gt_covfeature.asp
ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST All economic activities take place within the natural environment and thus, they affect the environment in some way or the other. Environmental economists apply the values of economics to analyse the costs (like pollution and natural resource depletion) and the benefits (like development and increase in national wealth) of these activities and ensure that they are well-balanced. Green economists work as researchers, analysers, policy-makers, and so on. For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20060430/coasts_you.htm
CARBON TRADER Carbon trading emerged as a major focus area after the Kyoto Protocol. So, it is one of the most sought-after job sectors. Researchers, carbon credit analyst, project designers, and other such professionals and experts deal with the nitty-gritty of the trade. For more: http://www.cseindia.org/programme/geg/cdm_faq.htm http://www.carbontradewatch.org/
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALIST There is an increasing need to understand and spread awareness about environment. Media has a major role to play in this. Green journalists, communicators and researchers have the passion and skill to convey ‘green messages’ through their writing and reports. For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20050430/green-careers.htm
ENVIRONMENT EDUCATOR Environment educators tap the most vital group. The students. They may address their audience at the level of a school or college, or spread awareness among policy-makers. Designing simple and practical methods to make people understand the environmental linkages in their lives is the main task of an environment educator. For more: http://www.cseindia.org/programme/ env_edu/index.htm http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/ what_we_do/education/ index.cfm
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER Environmental lawyers like Ritwick Dutta, use statutes, common law, treaties, conventions, regulations and policies to protect the natural environment. They regulate the quantity and nature of impacts of human activities. For more: http://www.ciel.org/ http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/cel/index.cfm
GEOGRAPHER The profession promises a lifetime of adventures and excitement. With a degree in geography, one can be a professor, cartographer, GIS specialist, researchers, or work in corporate or government enterprise or form consulting firms, and the list goes on. For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20051231/geography_you.htm#be
ORGANIC FARMER Organic food has become a hot-favourite these days. Also, farmers are realising the long-term economic, health and ecological benefits of switching over to organic farming from chemical farming. Thus, there is an urgent demand for organic farmers in the job sector. For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20051130/green-careers.htm
WILDLIFER There’s a lot that is and can be done as a ‘wildlifer’. The options include being a wildlife biologist (who studies wildlife biology as a subject), wild doctor or vet, wild artist, and wild activist (who fights for the cause of protecting wildlife). But remember, most famous wildlife experts were those who had no books but, only fierce passion and interest. For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20050731/green-careers.htm
EARTH ARCHITECT The eco-conscious generation has brought a new wave in the field of architecture – topics like sustainable architecture, environmental construction and eco-engineering. Green architects design a rewarding career and build their own future. For more: http://www.gobartimes.org/20050531/green-careers.htm http://lauriebaker.net/
GREEN CHEF Green chefs transform their restaurants or hotels into showplaces for environmental sustainability. They solar power their eating joints, use ‘reusable’ delivery boxes and avoid chemical cleaning products. In addition, they cook food using locally available ingredients, organic items and/or non-threatened species. For more: http://www.caledoncitizen.com/news/2008/0306/arts_ent/023.html
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The run-up 
