Can you cut 1 Tonne of carbon pollution out of your life?
Take the challengeEnvironmentalism, sustainability, climate change - buzzwords which are often being thrown around today can lose their impact after a while.
But the truth is these words have a huge impact on our planet and if we don't learn how to address them now, our future will be in jeopardy.
It is undeniable that we live in a system that prioritises capital carbon-loving wealth above all else, so will pursuing a career in sustainability leave us jobless and broke?
Actually, on the contrary. If you're interested in sustainability and are currently considering a path in higher education, you won't be losing. Climate change is happening now, and we're falling behind on action (which only means a lot of work for us to do, right?).
Pursuing altruism doesn't mean you have to work for a non-profit or NGO if you don't want to. With consumers' increasing awareness and willingness to contribute to the sustainability of our planet, corporations are being forced to follow suit. It's finally becoming less of an "it would be good" and more of a "must have" mentality towards sustainable purchasing power. Therefore, many MBA programs are now implementing core courses in sustainability. This goes to show that you can still maintain an executive position within your industry by shifting your focus. With more consumers demanding planet-friendly products and services, your degree will only be more valuable as each day passes.
Why pursue further education?
Finding solutions to our global environmental problems is vital to the sustainability of our existence. We need to protect natural resources for communities and economies to thrive. Because of this, the job opportunities in environmental sustainability are on the rise. So, if you're looking for a career change, or if you'd just like to expand your knowledge in a certain field, pursuing education in sustainability is both fulfilling and practical.
Studying academic theory is enlightenment and empowerment. And implementing sustainable practices provides a measurable impact in the real world. So, why not combine the two? With women and children being most vulnerable to climate change, who better to lead this global shift towards sustainability than us? Through education, women are making profound scientific and corporate changes for our planet, but we're still tremendously behind and require more representation.
Choosing a course
The key to deciding on which course is right for you is to pinpoint what you really care to achieve with your education. Sustainability covers a vast array of topics, spanning industries including planning, agriculture, business law, engineering, retail, corporate, manufacturing, technology, energy, ecology, entrepreneurism and truly so much more. Find your angle and infiltrate it the best way you can!
Universities can offer online, blended and traditional studies. You can explore an Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral degree, or simply a supplemental program to enhance a degree you already have.
If you're thinking of pursuing further education but not sure whether to take the plunge, undergoing an online short course may help to steer you in the right direction. If you ask me, a formal education in any aspect of sustainability is enough to make you a modern-day climate hero! So, what better way to facilitate change for our planet than to expand your knowledge and even steer your career towards it?
Written by Amanda Fahda
Read this next: After 25 Years Of Trying, Why Aren't We Environmentally Sustainable Yet?
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