Category Archives: Sustainability & Green Jobs

Conservation: History and Future

Conservation: History and Future
What is Conservation? Defining Conservationism We define conservation as a broad approach to preserving what is already there and the due care and attention to protecting it for the future (1). It is also dedicated to restoring something to a natural state and maintaining equilibrium. It is a practice and a philosophy, utilizing scientific tools…
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What is Geoscience? Disciplines, Careers & Educational Pathways

What is Geoscience? Disciplines, Careers & Educational Pathways
Geoscience encompasses scientific disciplines studying Earth's physical processes, from geology and meteorology to oceanography and hydrology. Students can pursue bachelor's through doctoral degrees in geoscience disciplines, leading to careers in research, environmental consulting, education, and government agencies. The field addresses critical challenges including climate change, natural resource management, and natural disaster prediction. Table of Contents…
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Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy
Renewable energy comes from naturally replenishing sources like sunlight, wind, water, and biomass—resources that don't deplete with use. Today, renewables generate approximately 29% of global electricity (2024), with hydroelectric power leading at 16%, followed by wind (8%), solar (4%), and other sources (1%). The shift to renewable energy addresses three critical challenges: finite fossil fuel…
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What Is Sustainability? Definition, Three Pillars & Career Paths

What Is Sustainability? Definition, Three Pillars & Career Paths
Sustainability is the practice of meeting today's needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs. It balances three interconnected pillars—economic development, social equity, and environmental protection—creating a framework where human society and natural ecosystems can thrive together for the long term. Table of Contents Define Sustainability Balancing Resource Use for a Greener Future History…
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Birds as Environmental Indicators

Birds as Environmental Indicators
Humans have invented a variety of instruments to monitor the health of ecosystems.  For example, to examine water quality in a wetland, an environmental scientist may use a sensor to measure dissolved oxygen in the water or perform chemical assays in the lab to examine heavy metals in the soil. However, in some cases we…
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Air Quality & Environmental Health: Indoor and Outdoor Impacts

Air Quality & Environmental Health: Indoor and Outdoor Impacts
Air quality affects health both indoors and outdoors. Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, where air quality is largely unregulated despite risks from mold, radon, asbestos, and other pollutants. Outdoor air is regulated through the Clean Air Act, which monitors six criteria pollutants affecting over 75 million Americans in nonattainment areas. Both indoor…
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Nuclear Energy: How It Works, Environmental Impact & Career Paths

Nuclear Energy: How It Works, Environmental Impact & Career Paths
Nuclear energy currently generates about 9-10% of the world's electricity through over 400 reactors in 31 countries (historically contributing around 12%). It works by splitting uranium atoms in a controlled chain reaction, creating heat that produces steam to drive turbines. While nuclear power produces virtually no greenhouse gases during operation, it creates radioactive waste that…
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Wind Power 101

Wind Power 101
Modern wind power is a recent development based on a very old technology. The wind has propelled sail boats for at least 5000 years, and turned windmills for perhaps 1500 years. Even the concept of generating electricity with wind power dates back to the first successful attempt in the late 1800s. But aside from the…
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Natural Gas 101: Pros, Cons & Career Guide

Natural Gas 101: Pros, Cons & Career Guide
Natural gas is a fossil fuel primarily composed of methane, formed over millions of years from decayed organic matter. It supplies approximately 22% of global energy needs for heating, electricity generation, and industrial processes. While natural gas burns cleaner than coal or oil—producing 50% less carbon dioxide—its extraction and use raise environmental concerns including methane…
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Hydroelectric Power 101

Hydroelectric Power 101
Hydroelectric power uses the kinetic energy of moving water to produce electricity. It's the most widely used form of renewable energy, generating 19% of electricity worldwide (1). While large-scale projects have had mixed results in the developing world, when done properly, hydroelectric is a cheap, clean and effective method of producing energy. Hydroelectric Methods Most…
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