Environmental Economists
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
- The MathWorks MATLAB
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Development environment software
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
- Microsoft Visual Studio
Education
Education: (rated 5 of 5)
doctoral degree or
master's degree
usually needed
master's degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Data Scientists
- Economists
- Environmental Scientists & Specialists, Including Health
- Industrial Ecologists
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about environmental economists.