An environmental engineer is a professional who focuses on resolving or preventing environmental issues. These engineers can work in a variety of capacities and industries, ranging from non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental improvement to oil refineries looking to improve their environmental practices. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is usually required to work as an environmental engineer, and many engineers have advanced degrees, which may include postgraduate fellowships in specific areas of interest.
Environmental engineers are knowledgeable in topics such as biology, hydrology, geology, chemistry, and public health, in addition to engineering. Their mission is to use engineering to develop solutions to environmental problems, such as water supply, purification, and management, waste management, pollution, recycling, public health issues involving the environment, environmental remediation, and environmental design. An environmental engineer might work on things like developing safe wells for use in developing countries, streamlining urban recycling services, or assisting with contaminated site cleanup.
An environmental engineer can conduct environmental assessments, identifying issues with the natural environment, as well as develop solutions to environmental problems, participate in policymaking, design new engineering tools that can be used for environmental benefit, and teach other engineers about environmental engineering. These engineers work in a variety of settings, ranging from urban offices dealing with environmental policy to experimental field sites testing new environmental equipment.
Environmental engineers are concerned about other species that rely on the natural world for survival. While improving the environment often has a direct benefit for the humans who enjoy it, environmental engineers are also concerned about other species that rely on the natural world for survival. Measures to protect habitat for endangered plants and wildlife, balancing human and animal needs in an environmentally sensitive area, and assisting people in more effectively using natural resources so that wildlife and plants can also use those resources are all examples of their work.
Engineers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, experience, and area of practice. For example, an environmental policy consultant may be able to charge very high fees for services, whereas an environmental engineer working for a nonprofit may earn much less. Environmental problems and needs are constantly evolving, creating new job opportunities for people concerned about the environment’s health.