The unrelenting bad news about the trajectory of the Earth’s climate has engendered plenty of pessimism. But there is another way to react to the sobering scientific consensus. Rather than give up and abandon any responsibility for climate woes, a growing number of people — especially young people —are acknowledging the gravity of the crisis while fully embracing their ability to improve their future. It is an empowering attitude that helps ward off climate doom anxiety. Importantly, empowerment spurs the collective action that can lead to meaningful change — and this interpretation of climate news has been gaining momentum.
There is another powerful reason to think about what you can do to benefit the climate: it’s smart career advice. In both the public and private sectors, good jobs devoted primarily to tackling climate change are proliferating. Sundar Pichai, Google and Alphabet CEO, announced that the company’s climate activities would create over 20,000 jobs by 2025. Two of the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s (BLS) three fastest-growing occupations through 2029 are wind turbine technician and solar installer. Put simply, doing something to help the climate is not just fulfilling work — it’s also a great career path. Here are some of the most promising occupations in the climate field.
Energy Auditor
Transitioning to carbon-free sources of electricity is far easier when the amount of energy needed is as low as possible — put another way, buildings need to be as energy efficient as we can make them. Energy auditors are a bit like detectives, using their training to sleuth out leaks and inefficiencies that waste energy. Improving the efficiency of buildings can make a big impact on the climate because commercial and residential buildings account for 13 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This good work can also make for a good career. According to the job site monster.com, the median annual salary for an energy auditor is about $70,000. Bring a background in engineering or construction to this role.
Environmental Scientist
Understanding the impacts of climate change is one place where environmental scientists have a big role. And demand for these professionals is growing — the BLS expects environmental scientist positions to grow by nearly 8 percent between 2019 and 2029. The work of environmental scientists also varies considerably, though a common theme is applying scientific knowledge to understanding and mitigating the negative effects of a warming planet. For example, environmental scientists can help wind farm developers ensure that important renewable energy projects don’t adversely impact the environment they are meant to help.
Geoscientist
These professionals understand how the world works — its structure, its materials, and the interaction of its natural systems. Understanding how the world functions at a granular level is the foundation for making clear-eyed decisions about the impact of climate change and the key to mitigating negative effects. The understanding that geoscientists bring to policymakers, academic institutions, and companies is very much in demand. The BLS projects that geoscientist jobs will grow by about 7 percent by 2030, with a median annual salary of nearly $94,000.
Climatologist
Experts who study weather patterns and use their scientific skill to identify potential impacts of a changing climate are expected to be in high demand. The BLS estimates that job growth for atmospheric scientists, which includes climatologists, will increase 8 percent by 2030. To understand why, think about the role climate data and modeling play in the electric utility industry, for one. The industry is currently a driving force for decarbonization, thanks to the ongoing transition to carbon-free sources of electricity like wind and solar. Key to ensuring that clean electricity can thrive is a power grid that can withstand increasingly frequent onslaughts of severe weather. Climatologists are the professionals who build the models and analyze data to guide these important investments.
Environmental engineers
The job of all environmental engineers is to solve problems, such as finding ways to lower carbon emissions from vehicles, improving recycling and reducing waste, and facilitating the transition from fossil fuels to carbon-free energy. For example, renewable energy engineers, a type of environmental engineer, can apply their knowledge of biology, soil science, and other fields to help site and build solar projects in a way that doesn’t harm surrounding ecosystems. They can also work in government to help develop policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and incentivize sustainable practices. The median pay for environmental engineers was over $92,000 per year in 2020, according to the BLS.
Soil and plant scientist
The role of plants and soil is often overlooked in discussions about climate change. But soil is among the most effective “tools” for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere — soils remove about 25 percent of emissions from burning fossil fuels each year. The ability of soil to keep carbon out of the atmosphere depends on its good health, and the job of plant and soil scientists, including agronomists, is to promote healthy soil. These scientists can conduct research for the government or academic institutions or work in the agriculture and forestry industries to ensure they pursue sustainable practices. In 2021 the median annual wage for plant and soil scientists was over $66,000, according to the BLS.
Hydrologist
It’s impossible to consider the impacts of climate change without turning to the topic of water. Extreme and persistent drought conditions in the western U.S. are associated with climate change, as are the torrential rains and floods in other places. Because access to water is the foundation of any functioning society, the work of hydrologists in a changing climate is increasingly essential. Hydrologists analyze precipitation patterns, groundwater levels, and the impact of environmental conditions on the quality and availability of water. Sometimes these scientists specialize, such as oceanographers who study seawater and how it interacts with the atmosphere and ocean life. Hydrologists earn a median salary of over $80,000 per year, and job openings are expected to grow by more than 5 percent by 2029.
Civil engineer
Last November President Biden signed the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, providing the largest investment in improving the nation’s physical infrastructure in many years. A big focus of the new funding is addressing climate change and environmental quality. But for infrastructure investments to become reality, we need civil engineers. These skilled professionals contribute to the planning, design, and actual construction of projects — including water systems, renewable energy installations, and vehicle charging infrastructure. Without civil engineers, ambitious decarbonization goals simply can’t be translated into actual projects. In 2020 the median annual pay for civil engineers was nearly $90,000, and job openings are expected to grow by 8 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Forester
The driving idea behind the Trillion Trees initiative is simple: preserving and reclaiming forests is an essential strategy for combating climate change because trees have a unique capacity to sequester carbon. Recent research found that the world’s forests absorb about 7.6 million metric tons of carbon annually — more than 1.5 times the amount the U.S. emits each year. It’s the job of foresters, who work for government agencies as well as private companies, to manage forests so that they remain healthy. And foresters are connected to climate change in other ways. Warming temperatures and longer droughts are spawning wildfires, and forest management is important in lowering the risk to nearby communities. Job prospects for foresters are good, with the field expected to grow by 10 percent through 2030.
Urban and regional planner
Across the globe, about 100 cities representing one-twelfth of the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy have pledged to work together to drive down carbon emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions targets requires reimagining much of how societies function — from how people get from place to place to the energy used to heat and cool buildings to the types of projects that get built. All of which requires careful planning, which enlists the skills of urban and regional planners. These professionals collaborate with government officials, private developers, academics, and community members to develop land-use plans that simultaneously enhance quality of life, the economy, and sustainability. As of 2020, the median annual pay for urban and regional planners was about $75,000.
