Sometimes in order to change the world, policies have to be made. International students who study environmental policy will have the opportunity to decide which policies will reduce the impact on the earth and how those policies will be implemented. Without these students, the ability to protect the planet from various risks and issues would be more difficult and less apparent.
We live in a world of coexisting. We coexist with our neighbors across the street. We coexist with our staff members at work. We coexist with the people in the checkout line at the grocery store. Most importantly, we coexist with nature, with the environment that houses our ability to live. Because of this, the harm we have done to the environment has produced negative effects, and men and women across the world are coming together to make environmental policy changes to help our environment remain sustainable. Without environmental policy, the world may continue to be unaware of how to take better action in protecting our planet.
What is Environmental Policy?
When climate change, pollution, genetic engineering and other environmental issues affect our everyday living, scientists and professionals find ways to promote change and heal the earth. International students studying environmental policy will be able to identify, assess and monitor environmental issues and find solutions toward making progress on these issues. Whether in rural or urban settings, environmental policy teaches students to create scientific-based decisions that move our society in a more sustainable direction.
Why Study Environmental Policy?
As an international student studying environmental policy, you can create public policies and plans that will change the world. Since environmental policy focuses on action, boldness and advocacy, students in this field will have a hands-on and exciting experience, knowing firsthand how to analyze the diverse environments found on our planet. Along with knowing the environment, these students will be familiar with:
- Law
- Human Behavior
- Research
Because students who study environmental policy gain such a broad education — including economics, politics, psychology, and sociology — employers are interested in working with these students. The experiential learning involved in environmental policy programs tell the employers that not only can they conceive different learning techniques and information, but they can also do what should be done about the conceptualized information.
What Environmental Policy Programs are Available?
Environmental policy programs combine politics and science to create a curriculum that will give students the ability to create and implement solutions to environmental problems. Other fields of study involved in environmental policy could be sociology, psychology, law, and management. Some courses in environmental policy programs could include environmental monitoring and analysis, environmental or ecological management, environmental planning, energy markets and energy politics, environmental law, negotiation skills, and more.
Many programs will be hands-on, as taking action and making strides toward progression are a part of understanding the field. New York City has many environmental organizations that try to tackle the issues that come with an urban environment. Because of this, programs such as the master's program for environmental policy at The New School can provide a laboratory for experiential learning. The Tishman Environmental and Design Center, the Chase Competition, Community Development Finance, the International Field Program, and other organizations and programs are only a few examples of what students at The New School in New York City can experience in environmental policy.
What Careers are Available in Environmental Policy?
Since a diverse range of skills are needed to succeed in environmental policy, available career options are well-rounded and vary considering whether or not students have decided on a concentration or dual major to help specialize their career goals. Some career options are:
- Ocean and coastal resource management
- Environmental planner
- Finance manager
- Lobbyist
- Business, sustainability and development
- Biological scientist
- Natural resource policy and management