2 answers
Camryn
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about being a climate change analyst?
I'm in 10th grade. I want to take environmental science when I complete chemistry, but I want to know what its like to be a climate change analyst.
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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Camryn
It's great that you want to work on climate change. Climate science is very interdisciplinary, and therefore climate scientists come from all walks of life. You'll find chemists, physicists, atmospheric scientists, analytical scientists, meteorologists, environmental scientists, biologists, oceanographers, geologists, modellers, etc. There are just so many aspects to it.
Apart from the study of climate changes, you could also be an engineer that works on solutions to adapt to climate change. Or a metallurgist, chemist, mineralogist that works on greener solutions in the metal, chemical or cement industry. So, it's a really wide field.
You could study any of these fields in undergrad, and then specialize for your masters and PhD.
What the actual work will look like depends very much on the actual project and your role in it. Some people will be out in the ice or on the ocean to take samples to later be analyzed in the lab. Some people will be observing plants and animals, their numbers and distribition. Some people will sit at the computer and develop models based on the data, etc
You'll have to find out what aspect of climate science you would like to work on and carve your path.
You find schools with masters programs in climate science here:
https://www.mastersportal.com/study-options/269779069/climate-studies-meteorology-united-states.html
Good luck!
KP
It's great that you want to work on climate change. Climate science is very interdisciplinary, and therefore climate scientists come from all walks of life. You'll find chemists, physicists, atmospheric scientists, analytical scientists, meteorologists, environmental scientists, biologists, oceanographers, geologists, modellers, etc. There are just so many aspects to it.
Apart from the study of climate changes, you could also be an engineer that works on solutions to adapt to climate change. Or a metallurgist, chemist, mineralogist that works on greener solutions in the metal, chemical or cement industry. So, it's a really wide field.
You could study any of these fields in undergrad, and then specialize for your masters and PhD.
What the actual work will look like depends very much on the actual project and your role in it. Some people will be out in the ice or on the ocean to take samples to later be analyzed in the lab. Some people will be observing plants and animals, their numbers and distribition. Some people will sit at the computer and develop models based on the data, etc
You'll have to find out what aspect of climate science you would like to work on and carve your path.
You find schools with masters programs in climate science here:
https://www.mastersportal.com/study-options/269779069/climate-studies-meteorology-united-states.html
Good luck!
KP
Sahida Khatun
Software Consultant and Analyst
71
Answers
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Updated
Sahida’s Answer
Hi Camryn,
It's absolutely wonderful to hear that you're thinking about a career path connected to climate change! In this field, one of the key roles is a climate change analyst. This person delves deep into the impacts of climate change on our environment, society, and economy. They gather and scrutinize data about climate patterns, greenhouse gas emissions, and the effects of climate change on diverse ecosystems, communities, and industries.
As a climate change analyst, here's what you might be doing:
Research: This includes collecting data from a variety of sources, spotting trends, and evaluating the potential outcomes of climate change.
Modeling and Predicting: You would use specialized software and models to forecast future climate scenarios based on present data and trends. Specialized software like climate models (for example, Community Earth System Model, Climate Forecast System) and statistical analysis tools (like R, Python libraries such as Pandas, NumPy) are essential for analyzing large datasets and running simulations.
Policy Analysis: You would offer valuable insights and suggestions to policymakers, governments, and organizations to create strategies and policies aimed at reducing the impacts of climate change. Merging expertise in climate science, policy analysis, and effective communication is key to influencing decision-makers and driving significant change in reducing the effects of climate change.
Collaboration: You would work alongside scientists, researchers, government agencies, and NGOs to devise solutions and strategies to tackle climate change challenges. Teamwork across various sectors is vital in addressing the issues brought about by climate change.
To follow a career as a climate change analyst, a focus on environmental science is a great first step. Alongside that, honing strong skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and communication will be very useful. Also, being aware of environmental policies and international climate change agreements (like the Paris Agreement) can be helpful.
Think about seeking internships or volunteer work with organizations involved in environmental research or advocacy. Staying updated with the latest progress in climate science through reliable sources, journals, and scientific publications is also beneficial.
Remember, the field of climate change is multidisciplinary, so a well-rounded education with knowledge in areas like biology, ecology, economics, and policy will give you an edge. If this field sparks your interest, stay eager and continue exploring the various aspects of environmental science and climate change!
It's absolutely wonderful to hear that you're thinking about a career path connected to climate change! In this field, one of the key roles is a climate change analyst. This person delves deep into the impacts of climate change on our environment, society, and economy. They gather and scrutinize data about climate patterns, greenhouse gas emissions, and the effects of climate change on diverse ecosystems, communities, and industries.
As a climate change analyst, here's what you might be doing:
Research: This includes collecting data from a variety of sources, spotting trends, and evaluating the potential outcomes of climate change.
Modeling and Predicting: You would use specialized software and models to forecast future climate scenarios based on present data and trends. Specialized software like climate models (for example, Community Earth System Model, Climate Forecast System) and statistical analysis tools (like R, Python libraries such as Pandas, NumPy) are essential for analyzing large datasets and running simulations.
Policy Analysis: You would offer valuable insights and suggestions to policymakers, governments, and organizations to create strategies and policies aimed at reducing the impacts of climate change. Merging expertise in climate science, policy analysis, and effective communication is key to influencing decision-makers and driving significant change in reducing the effects of climate change.
Collaboration: You would work alongside scientists, researchers, government agencies, and NGOs to devise solutions and strategies to tackle climate change challenges. Teamwork across various sectors is vital in addressing the issues brought about by climate change.
To follow a career as a climate change analyst, a focus on environmental science is a great first step. Alongside that, honing strong skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and communication will be very useful. Also, being aware of environmental policies and international climate change agreements (like the Paris Agreement) can be helpful.
Think about seeking internships or volunteer work with organizations involved in environmental research or advocacy. Staying updated with the latest progress in climate science through reliable sources, journals, and scientific publications is also beneficial.
Remember, the field of climate change is multidisciplinary, so a well-rounded education with knowledge in areas like biology, ecology, economics, and policy will give you an edge. If this field sparks your interest, stay eager and continue exploring the various aspects of environmental science and climate change!