Category Archives: Climatologist

Climatologist

Climatology: Climate Science Careers & Degrees

Climatology: Climate Science Careers & Degrees
Climatology is the study of Earth's long-term weather patterns and the natural and human factors that influence them. Most positions require at least a master's degree in atmospheric sciences or environmental science. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental scientists and specialists (the occupational category that includes climatologists) earned a median salary of $76,530…
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Why Climate Scientists Need GIS: Skills, Applications & Career Paths

Why Climate Scientists Need GIS: Skills, Applications & Career Paths
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is essential for climate scientists who analyze spatial data across global, regional, and local scales. GIS transforms massive climate datasets (from ice core samples to satellite imagery) into visual maps that reveal temperature trends, weather patterns, and ecological changes. Many environmental science graduate programs include GIS coursework, especially in climate…
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Invasive Species: Causes, Impacts & Environmental Effects

Invasive Species: Causes, Impacts & Environmental Effects
Invasive species are plants or animals introduced to new environments where they cause environmental, economic, or health harm. Unlike exotic species that coexist peacefully, invasives thrive without natural predators, reproduce rapidly, and disrupt native ecosystems. They're the second-leading cause of species extinctions globally, costing an estimated $120 billion annually in the United States alone. One…
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How Climate Change Affects Birds

How Climate Change Affects Birds
Climate change threatens more than half of North American bird species with significant population declines through disrupted breeding cycles, shrinking habitats, and range shifts. Rising temperatures cause phenology mismatches where birds arrive too late for peak food availability, contributing to reproductive declines of up to 90% in some migratory populations, such as the pied flycatcher.…
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U.S. Arctic Environmental Policy and Career Opportunities

U.S. Arctic Environmental Policy and Career Opportunities
U.S. Arctic environmental policy focuses on sustainability, scientific research, and international cooperation through the Arctic Council, where eight nations collaborate on environmental protection. The melting Arctic ice cap opens new shipping routes and resource extraction opportunities while raising concerns about ecosystem impacts. For environmental science students, Arctic policy represents a critical intersection of climate science,…
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Understanding Drought in the United States: Types, History, and Impact

Understanding Drought in the United States: Types, History, and Impact
Drought is a temporary period when water availability falls below normal levels for a region, affecting humans, agriculture, and ecosystems. The United States experiences four types of drought—meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic—each triggered by different conditions and impacting different sectors. While cyclical in nature, droughts have grown more intense due to climate change and increasing…
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Dendrochronology: How Tree Rings Reveal Environmental History

Dendrochronology: How Tree Rings Reveal Environmental History
Dendrochronology is the scientific analysis of tree-ring patterns to date wood samples and reconstruct past environmental conditions. Students from archaeology, climate science, chemistry, and forestry use dendrochronology in their research. Tree rings reflect annual growth influenced by climate, enabling scientists to date artifacts, calibrate radiocarbon testing, and study historical climate patterns spanning thousands of years.…
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El Niño and La Niña’s Impact on Our Environment

El Niño and La Niña’s Impact on Our Environment
El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate pattern affecting ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the equatorial Pacific every 3-7 years. El Niño brings warmer waters and disrupted trade winds, while La Niña brings cooler temperatures and stronger winds. Both phenomena significantly impact global weather…
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Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major?

Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major?
Environmental science is a strong major choice for 2026, with median salaries of $80,060 and projected 4% job growth through 2034. The field combines biology, chemistry, geology, and policy to address real-world environmental challenges, preparing graduates for careers in consulting, government agencies, conservation, and research with approximately 8,500 annual job openings nationwide. When prospective students…
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The History of Climate Change Science

The History of Climate Change Science
Climate change science traces back to the 1820s when scientists first proposed the "Ice Age" and "Greenhouse Effect" concepts. The field evolved from 19th-century fossil fuel concerns to modern climate modeling in the 1990s. Today's environmental scientists build on 200+ years of atmospheric research, ice core analysis, and computer modeling to understand and address global…
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