Green jobs are not just for environmental studies majors

In her keynote speech on Tuesday night, Wawa Gatheru described the Climate Venn Diagram, created by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. It asks three things: 1. What brings you joy?; 2. What are you good at? and 3. What work needs doing? Climate, environmental or otherwise “green” jobs connect your joy and skills to the issues that need them most. We’re going to live in a climate-shaped century. We’re already seeing it: floods from California to Bangladesh. Water scarcity problems that are turning bodies of water from the Great Salt Lake to the Aral Sea into dry, salty lakebeds full of agricultural chemicals. Sea level rises that will put Nassau, Bahamas, underwater by 2050. It will affect all of us sooner or later. The predictions can seem dire, but the antidote to dread and fear isn’t denial. The antidote to fear is working as fast as we can to address the worst impacts while building the future we want to see.

You don’t have to be an environmental scientist or an environmental studies major or even know anything about climate to look for a “green job.” Many sectors are currently exploding with “green” opportunities. The solar and wind industries are clamoring for well-rounded physics and engineering majors to design new energy production and more energy storage. Calls for sustainable and equitable investment might draw economics majors into the growing field of “green investment.” Artists and writers of any major will be our guiding lights as we seek to refuse dystopian narratives and imagine a future we actually want to live in. The list goes on: there’s no major or interest that can’t pitch in to solve climate change and create a better world.

For many, working on climate justice can give a sense of meaning in their career, in a world where it’s easy to give in to despair or willful ignorance. We already know we’re facing the biggest existential threat we’ve ever seen as a species—just look up the recent IPCC Summary 6. And yet, many of the most exceptional thinkers, writers, doers and makers in the world are standing up to help humanity survive in the face of these enormous challenges. Who wouldn’t want to be on their side?

To start diving into the possibilities of climate jobs, check out OpenDoorClimate.com. It brings together climate professionals with job-seekers like you who want to see what’s out there. WorkOnClimate.org can get you gigs, jobs or office hours with climate experts. Climate Tech Venture Capital (ctvc.co) sends a weekly newsletter of deals, events, jobs and news related to the booming Climate Tech market. And of course, you can ask XPD for help, look at the environmental studies careers page or reach out to alums. There’s a Renewable Energy Happy Hour in Brother Willie’s on April 13 from 5-7 p.m. where Johnnies and Bennies currently in “green” industries will be happy to answer your questions and get you connected, regardless of year or major.

This isn’t an issue any of us can afford to be neutral on, but we can all help in our own lanes. I’m not talking about consumer decisions like shorter showers and less meat, although those are good starting points. I’m talking about asking yourself how you can use your unique skills and connections, your volunteer hours, your summer job and maybe even your career to do something that matters for the world.