Top 10 Environmental Science Research Topics
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, environmental science jobs will grow by 8% between now and 2030 according to their estimates. A healthy environment is essential for fields such as physics, economics and engineering. Without it, there would be no human beings.
Global warming has increased more than twice in the past 40 years than it did between 1880-81. Because of this, it is important to have people who can understand the environment and ensure its health for all.
These are the most exciting environmental science topics available, whether you’re interested in a career as a researcher or a major in science.
1. Global Warming
One thing is sure: We will always have a place to call home. It’s up to us to decide if it will be one we can live in.
Climate change research is often difficult. Perhaps you’re working on a single aspect of the problem like operating remote eddycovariance towers that measure the flow and distribution of gases between the earth & sky. You might also be assigned to tackle a larger problem like convincing people that climate change is real.
This field offers plenty of opportunities. This is especially true since the United States has elected a science-focused president administration. Federal agencies could soon have more jobs related to climate change.
2. Fire Ecology
In addition to wildfires, rising temperatures will also mean more of them. U.S. policies on fire have been designed to eliminate all unrestrained fires. For decades, however, this was not the best way to go. Instead, we now face a double-whammy: More dry fuels to burn at higher temperatures and less prescribed burns.
This is what makes fire ecology so exciting. Fire ecologists are trying to understand the natural fires and what their future potential will look like. These scientists also seek to understand how humans can co-exist with fire.
3. Renewable Energy
Our modern society was built upon fossil fuels. Climate change is bringing that back to haunt us. We can combat climate change by developing renewable energy technologies. This includes solar, wind, hydro, and other forms of renewable energy. These new resources are carbon-neutral but they come with a price.
Wind energy, which can also be used to kill endangered species, has the nasty habit of ripping birds out. Hydro power equipment may prevent salmon-migratory fish from reproducing. Fisheries can suffer. Even solar power can stop sunlight reaching plants.
These potential threats must be identified and dealt with in order to create a greener future.
4. Urban Ecology
While we often think of distant forests and mountains when considering the environment, urban ecology can be just as important. Uneven urban planning and distribution of greenspace can make different parts of a city up to 20 degrees more hot during heat waves.
To live in harmony with nature, we must understand and study the effects of urbanization. What percentage of land should we reserve for green spaces around subdivisions that run alongside streams? How can we avoid road pollution? These problems are solved by urban ecologists.
5. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
You won’t be able to physically travel all the places that you would like to learn. Even if it were possible, you would not be able to travel all the way there.
Scientists increasingly use drones and satellites as tools to survey vast areas of the earth’s natural world. The data can be used to create maps and then analyze them in a geographic intelligence system (GIS). GIS is used by scientists to track the greening and rainy season of the Serengeti.
A lot of work is being done to “ground-truther” the data. In other words, the scientists must physically go to the areas that drones and satellites are scanning to confirm their estimates. GIS skills have many applications, including in engineering and city planning.
6. The process of using living organisms to clean up environmental contaminants.
The increase in pollution is another consequence of the rapid industrialization that has occurred over the past 100 years. Economic activity can cause environmental damage, such as the release of heavy metals or radioactive material into local drinking water supplies.
Cleaning all that mess up is a huge job.
Instead of digging up dirt, how about spreading microbes in the ground to eat and neutralize the pollution? Bioremediation scientists engineer microbes that clean up the most egregious human messes.
7. Noise and light pollution
While you may not consider light and noise pollutants (unless they are your neighbors being noisy when you are trying their best to study), they are. Researchers are trying to find out how bright and noisy environments affect the organisms that live within them.
How does noise from airports impact wildlife nearby? What happens to endangered orcas that can’t hear each other because of noises from international freighters? What causes migrating birds to be confused by the glow of city lights? All of these are crucial questions that scientists studying light pollution or noise want to answer.
8. The study of fresh water bodies and their ecosystems.
Oceanographers are scientists who study oceans. But what about fresh water scientists? These scientists, called limnologists are crucial in our work to understand and minimize the impact of rivers, lakes, or wetlands.
Freshwater bodies are less sensitive than the ocean and can be more susceptible to disruptions. A truck filled with fertilizer will not have much impact on the ocean. The opposite is true for lakes. If you do this in the ocean, it will have little impact.
9. The branch of biology that studies the preservation of species and ecosystems
The World Wildlife Fund estimates that between 200-2,000 species are at risk of becoming extinct every year. While this process may occur naturally, it is often caused by humans. We must ensure that biodiversity is maintained in order to maintain healthy ecosystems.
Conservationists are often on the losing side of the fight. While it is not an easy task, we shouldn’t give up. There are still opportunities to save endangered species. It is important to learn more about them.
10. Environmental Justice
The world is finally realizing that the poorest and most marginalized peoples are not able to enjoy a healthy environment. Everyone doesn’t have access to clean drinking water or clean soil. These things are essential to living a life that is full of potential.
Research is ongoing to assess the severity of these issues. How many people are affected by Flint’s water crisis? What are the fate of widows from Navajo uranium miners and their children? This information will help us all to come together and find a solution that is both sociologically-based and environmentally sound.
Your Support is Essential for the Environment
Today’s challenges are greater than ever in order to ensure that Earth remains habitable for future generations. Environmental problems will only get more urgent as our population increases. This will require us to make more drastic changes and implement more solutions.
There are many opportunities to help. Any degree, no matter how small or large, can be used to help solve these problems. Each of us are responsible for keeping Earth clean, beautiful, and healthy.
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