Whenever the word “Green” is mentioned, what comes to mind is the environment. This post is centred on Green Degree and its relevance but treated under the following headings, what is Green Degree? Highest paying Green Degrees, Best Schools to Study Green Degrees, Possible Jobs for Green Degree Holders and Salary Range for Green Degree Holders.

It’s been said that saving the ozone layer is one thing everyone must bear in mind whether young or old. The ecosystem has suffered a lot as a result of bush burning, deforestation and other unhealthy practices such as the emission of harmful gasses from combustion engines of automobiles and factory plants. Well, civilization has brought us this far, what do we do? Should we go hungry for this reason?

Sustaining the environment and keeping it clean and safe has become a global concern recently. Hence, it is the duty of everyone to try his/her best to protect the environment through every means possible. For this reason, Organisations and institutions of higher learning have reached out to enlighten the masses on the effects of human activities on the ecosystem. As well as making publications on ways to keep the planet safe through green revolutions.

It is in respect of these that we have taken out time to write on this topic, “What is Green Degree? Highest paying Green Degrees, Best Schools to Study Green Degrees, Possible Jobs for Green Degree Holders and Salary Range for Green Degree Holders”

What is Green Degree?

A Green degree refers educational degree that combines the environmental sector with business and economics for better sustainability. Its curriculum comprises courses in environmental science, business management, mathematics and engineering with social sciences. It is in other words called a sustainability degree. It is an avenue where the demand for environmental scientists, business and engineering professionals are met.

Students who undergo green studies are equipped in different areas like renewable energy, engineering, law and construction. Then specialization in sustainability, renewable energy, energy and resource conservation, climate change or other related disciplines.

Why Should You Get a Green Degree?

If you are looking for options in businesses with sustainability or corporate social responsibility, then venturing into getting a green degree is to be considered. It incorporates waste management, sewage disposal and usage, recycling and incineration, supply chain and emissions management. So, it would be a complete package to get a green degree if you are concerned about these.

In the business sector, the green degree will serve you to make decisions about environmental impacts on your business as well as map out strategies to cub the negative environmental impacts and their effects on the ecosystem. If you are passionate about the green industry, then getting a green degree won’t be a bad idea.

A green degree equips you with the basic concepts, ideas and advanced techniques of work that will help you overcome adverse environmental impacts which will lead to positive outcomes in results. If you have asked why should you get a green degree? The following reasons and many more are why you should get a green degree.

Why Go for a Green Degree?

Many have asked themselves “why pursue a green degree? or why should I pursue a green degree?”. Well, looking at the great future a green degree offers, then these questions are answered below.

In today’s businesses, environmental factors have done a lot of harm to the ease of doing business. Hence, environmental sustainability has become an inevitable factor of consideration when setting up a business. Knowledge of a green degree is an added advantage in establishing a career while hunting for a job.

Job integration towards environmental sustainability has to become the way forward recently as so many companies are aiming towards that. Coupled with environmental regulatory agencies set up by the government. Industries have started employing environmental scientists to ensure that they don’t become victims of law enforcement agencies. As this employment rate increases, there are openings and employment opportunities for graduates with specialization related green degrees.

Getting a green degree is more like a transitional degree acquisition as it can enable you to switch careers any time you deem fit. Not only for the sake of employability, but a green degree will also serve as an avenue for you to be an employer of labour. You will have the opportunity to reduce unemployment as well as impact your community through your researches.

Your knowledge can as well be put into the improvement of the living standard of your people through your investment in green revolution practices. Getting a postgraduate degree in any related green degree fields can as well improve your chances to teach in higher institutions of learning. Here you will have the opportunity to train others in green practices and use your research publications for public enlightenment.

Highest paying Green Degrees/Careers

The insatiable need for renewable energy has prompted unwavering research into the best practices to enhance balance in the environment. In research by Zhu Ai min  Published on Research Gate, the paper is aimed to help enterprises make emphasis of green degree and choose the optimal program.

The concerns about the damaging effects caused by environmental pollution have prompted the demand for careers with a “green” focus.

Listed below are some of the Highest paying Green Degrees/Careers:

1. Environmental Health Science

This branch of science involves the study of the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment that aid in the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. It involves several sectors such as the environmental health analyst, policymakers, legislation and regulation etc.

It tends to study the environment and hazardous agents of the environment. This helps in other to proffer the best practices for the inhabitants of the environment to maintain good and healthy practices. Environmental health science centres on the analysis and identification of the biological and abiological factors of the environment that have negative or side effects on human health.

2. Horticulture

This is simply the improved way of plant cultivation in gardens with the aim of improving food production as well as medicinal ingredients. This could also be for the purpose of comfort and beautification (ornamental purposes). It gives the professionals the opportunity to learn about different fields of Agriculture such as growing flowers, vegetables and herbs, fruits and nuts not leaving out ornamental trees and lawns.

The horticulturists are empowered to build a sustainable environment through their contributions in regulating the ecosystem through planting green plants. These plants in turn take in CO₂ and give out O₂ for human intake.

Horticulturists are in high demand as the world goes into the green revolution. Professionals in this field are highly sought after as they make the environment more habitable and friendlier.

3. Environmental Science and Sustainability

The problems posed to the world as a result of lack of knowledge has drastically increased and need urgent attention. This is the major reason why students of Environmental Science and Sustainability are in high demand. These students work tirelessly day-in-day-out to solve challenging world problems.

They go extensively to manage socio-ecological systems as well as studying the ways to make decisions regarding environmental policies, environmental management and biodiversity.

4. Environmental Design Sustainability.

The major purpose of this discipline is the design and construction of cities bearing in mind the possibility of population explosion. The construction of cities will change with population growth and still remain habitable as the challenges in weather or climate persist.

Environmental designers ensure that the cities are designed, developed and constructed with resource-efficient structures and buildings so as to maintain a habitable ecosystem. They also work to ensure that they create a sustainable city that will stand the test of time.

5. Renewable Energy

Maintaining renewable energy resources like wind, solar power, hydropower, etc. is a major challenge as these resources reduce environmental hazards. On this note, a renewable energy degree pays attention to the manufacturing/production of these energy resources as well as their transmission and storage.

People who have good knowledge of wind power or wind energy use this knowledge to provide mechanical powers by means of turbines. These wind turbines are used to generate electric power. When compared to burning fossil fuels, wind power has a much smaller impact on the environment.

The demand for these career professionals is much attributed to the fact that renewable energy sources are sustainable with fewer environmental hazards.

6. Environmental Engineering/Marine Sciences

The use of basic principles of science and engineering in the development of environmental problem solutions has become the centre of recent academic researches. This is because, the knowledge of soil science, biology and chemistry can be applied in the production of less harmful insecticides and pesticides.

The use of pesticides and insecticides which when it rains, are carried from the farmland to seas is dangerous. And as such, these pesticides are harmful to aquatic lives and also makes the water unhealthy for consumption. Environmental engineers are tasked with the manufacturing of less harmful pesticides and insecticides.

They also put in efforts to better/improve means of waste disposal, recycling, water and air pollutions control.

7. Sustainable Agriculture

This involves professionals with knowledge of earth-friendly practices such as bush fallowing, crop rotation or nomadic farming. They apply their knowledge in improving soil fertility, disease and pest control and erosion prevention. This processes therefore automatically enhance food production as through abundant harvest.

Their knowledge fetches them living as a result of their commercial farming. This is one of the major highest paying Green Degrees/Careers because these career professionals are mostly self-employed. Where they choose to work for others, they are paid substantial amounts to keep them.

8. Environmental Law

These Green Degrees/Career professionals are tasked with enforcing the laws regarding environmental sustainability. They make laws and policies that guide the conservation of natural resources. Environmental law practitioners are equipped with energy laws and policies. They try offenders and ensure they don’t go back to harmful environmental practices.

9. Wildlife Ecology

The management of wild lives is another area of interest in green careers. People are trained and equipped with the scientific skills required to manage wild lives. They make choices with regard to the welfare of forest reserves and wildlife management.

10. Geology

With a good knowledge of earth science data interpretation, one is able to make a living. Geology professionals can work in many sectors a Geophysicists, Sedimentologist or Geographers. They observe and record environmental features and happenings, interpret earth science data and locate areas with environmental challenges such as erosion ridden areas.

The data that the geology majors collects are made available for scientific publications as well as a guide for possible development of related areas.

What are the Benefits of Pursuing a Green Degree?

The benefits of pursuing a green degree are enormous and one can pursue a green degree for any of the following reasons:

1. Diverse Career Opportunity

Just as the name “Green”, the question, “what is not green” pops up. This is to say that the entirety of the environment has one thing or the other to do with the green revolution. Career opportunities presented to green professionals are vast. They have the opportunity to work as sustainability managers, energy system designers and managers etc.

They can also work or deal in biofuels or fossil fuels, green architecture, natural resource conservation and wild life conservation. Practically, green degree holders are vastly equipped to work in Biology, Physics, Agricultural, Geography, Chemistry, Engineering and many other related fields.

With advanced/postgraduate degrees in green related fields, you can as well become a seasoned researcher, writing scientific journals and academic books for others to use. You can as well become a university or college lecturer.

2. Employability Skills and Knowledge

The recent advances in the green field has made it a go for employers when looking for whom to employ. Hence, people with green degrees or green certificates are highly sought for. This is because they understand the environmental impacts on companies and hence proffer solutions.

Getting a green certificate equips one to better understand environmental policies and apply these policies in solving environmental sustainability issues. These skills are what employers of labour lookout for. And as such, it is a benefit of pursuing a green degree.

3. Availability of Multiple Routes to a Green Career

Another benefit of pursuing a green degree is the availability of diverse or multiple routes/paths to a green career. This means that there is no particular route or path to acquire a green degree. It can be gotten through formal certification programs in colleges or universities. It can also be acquired through job training, or by vocational training. It can also be through any other means like community-sponsored programs or even non-profit programs.

This also means that there is no time frame to pursue a career in a green degree.

Best Schools to Study Green Degrees

The rate at which so many institutions are offering green degrees is a suggestion that it is now the latest trend. The list below is the Best Schools to study Green Degrees. These schools are accredited to issue certification at the completion of a program.

• Green River College

This college is known for offering degrees in natural resources and water management. The program includes courses in forestry, water quality assurance and park management. The university simplifies the tasks awaiting their students through their Green River college degree audit tool. This tool helps the students to keep record of their coursework.

Visit the School Official Website to learn more

• Champlain College
• Wesleyan University

At Wesleyan University, all departments offer at least one course in environmental sustainability.

• Emory University
• Arizona State University.
• University of Minnesota,
• University of San Diego,
• Harvard Business School,
• University of North Carolina, etc.

Possible Jobs for Green Degree Holders

With a green degree, one can work in any of the following sectors of the economy and comfortably earn a living.

• Green Architecture
• Landscape Design
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Health Science

Salary Range for Green Degree Holders

Green degree holders can earn as much as $110,000 monthly or more depending on specialization.

Below is a summary of the salary range for Green degree Holders in selected fields.

Green Degree Specialty	Salary Range ($)
Environmental law	113,000
Sustainability director	102,000
Marine biologist	78,000
Sustainable food systems manager	66,000
Organic farmer	73,000
Solar power project developer	76,000
Petroleum Engineer	99,000
Sustainable landscape Designer	68,000
Plant specialist	56,000
Environmental Chemist	50,000

Conclusion

A Green degree is not just a rewarding career, but it is also a career that helps to build a sustainable environment. It doesn’t just end with bachelor. You can also go as far as obtaining a postgraduate degree, either masters or doctoral degree. It is worthy to get a green degree if you desire to make an impact on the environment and ecosystem. It is one area that equips you with the requirements to mitigate environmental risks as well as climate change.

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