What Do Environmental Economists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Environmental Economists 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. They also write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
• Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
• Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
• Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.

We asked Environmental Economists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Environmental Economists 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. They assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.

• Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
• Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
• Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
• Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.
• Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.

We asked some Environmental Economists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	30% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	19% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	41% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	4% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Environmental Economists also assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks. They may also collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Environmental Economists Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts. They might also 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.

In addition, they Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.

To some Environmental Economists, it is also their responsibility to Develop programs or policy recommendations to promote sustainability and sustainable development.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Environmental Economist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/economists.htm

https://www.aeaweb.org/

http://www.nabe.com/