Category Archives: Careers & Specialties

Principles and Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Principles and Applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Use of GIS has seen unprecedented growth in the last ten years. With the powerful technology getting cheaper and system memories expanding, meaning that we can handle much bigger sets of data, some say that GIS is in a golden age. It was once the preserve of the cartographer – few outside would have used…
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Solar Power 101: Advantages & Disadvantages

Solar Power 101: Advantages & Disadvantages
Solar power is the conversion of the sun’s energy into electricity. With an estimated 173,000 terawatts of solar energy continuously hitting Earth’s surface (1), there is more than enough energy to meet the world’s current consumption levels of 15 terawatts per year (2). The trick, though, is collecting it. Solar Power Technology Solar energy is primarily collected…
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El Niño and La Niña: Their Impact on the Environment

El Niño and La Niña: Their Impact on the Environment
We know that there are many anthropogenic forcings on the climate, particularly the volume of carbon and greenhouse gases pumped into the atmosphere as a part of our everyday lives. Yet there are a number of natural processes that affect local weather, regional climate and global conditions. Some effects on our climate are a result…
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Gaining International Experience in Environmental Science

Gaining International Experience in Environmental Science
Whether you have been hit by the travel bug, your parents promised a trip for graduation (anywhere you wanted to go!), you can’t find a job close to home, or you just plain want to build a skill-set to set you apart from your peers, you may be looking for international work in Environmental Science. …
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Recommended Environmental Science Articles & Journals

Recommended Environmental Science Articles & Journals
Information about what is happening in the scientific community reaches us a variety of ways.  Some may be through a group you follow on social media.  Some may be via word of mouth, or CNN, BBC, in a class, on the radio as a public notice, overheard at a restaurant, etc.  One tried and true…
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How Does Radiocarbon-14 Dating Work?

How Does Radiocarbon-14 Dating Work?
What is Radiocarbon Dating? Radiocarbon dating is a method of what is known as “Absolute Dating”. Despite the name, it does not give an absolute date of organic material – but an approximate age, usually within a range of a few years either way. The other method is “Relative Dating” which gives an order of…
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Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major?

Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major?
Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major? Imagine your family has been asking for years what you will specialize in when you go to college and you have just decided to change from “undeclared” to environmental science”. Will you be met with blank stares, head shakes, or grumbles about “you’ll never do anything good with…
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History of the Study of Climate Change in Field of Environmental Science

History of the Study of Climate Change in Field of Environmental Science
What is Climate Change? Humanity has always had an interest in weather patterns. In the last century and a half, wider implications of global temperature and trends and how they might impact the planet, wildlife and humanity have become more studied. Environmental science is the study of the effects of natural and unnatural processes, and…
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What We Wish We Had Known before Majoring in Environmental Science

What We Wish We Had Known before Majoring in Environmental Science
If given the chance to do it all over again, a small group of Environmental Science majors were asked what they wish they had known before they started.  The list may surprise you!  Some themes were more common than others, but you should find some helpful hints! Take Your Chemistry Classes Seriously Chemistry is everywhere! …
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