Matthew Cunningham Memorial Scholarship Fund

Are you interested in solving economic problems caused by environmental issues? The role of an environmental economist might interest you. Environmental economists study how climate change, resource use, and sustainability initiatives impact the economy and work towards creating a balance between economic growth and the environment.

For example, research from Columbia Climate School has shown that scientists are starting to detect a reduction in crop yields due to extreme weather. As an environmental economist, you could look at this information and study how this affects supply, food prices, and farmers. Extreme heat can cause crops to struggle and produce less food, causing the supply to go down, while the demand remains the same. This can cause food prices to increase. By analyzing data, environmental economists come up with solutions that benefit both consumers and farmers.

There are several opportunities available to analyze environmental issues and find solutions that protect natural resources while supporting economic growth. You can find most environmental economists working at government agencies, consulting firms, and research universities. If you live in Pennsylvania, you might find opportunities with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Another path is working for consulting firms like Tetra Tech. The demand for environmental economics is a growing field that is definitely worth exploring.

This blog post was written by Niya Lewis, a recent Business Economics graduate from the University of California, Irvine. Niya is interested in helping high school graduates discover career paths that they may be unaware of, with a focus on economics.