Environmental Economists

information environmental research application investigative policy recommendation data economic analysis program cost environmental impact

Economist, Environmental Economist, Natural Resource Economist, Resource Economist

What they do:
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
On the job, you would:
  • Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
  • Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
  • Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Business

  • accounting and economics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills

  • writing things for co-workers or customers
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Memory

  • remember words, numbers, pictures, or steps

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Integrity
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Development environment software

  • Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Visual Studio Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
doctoral degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about environmental economists.