GEF

Unit 7  |  The Economics of Sustainability 156 CAREER FOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST Education: Most economists need a master’s degree or Ph.D. An economist specializing in the environment and sustainability requires a degree or experience in a related field, such as environmental science, and a strong background in math and statistics. Some entry-level jobs—primarily in the federal government—are available for workers with a bachelor’s degree. Median Salary (2015): $99,180. An environmental economist studies and predicts the impact of environmental events on the local, national, and global economic scales. They research the economics of environmental issues, such as renewable energy use, construction of new hydroelectric power plants or transnational pipelines, and pollution control measures. They may conduct cost-benefit analyses of industrial activities or proposed regulations involving natural resources. Based on these analyses, they may develop cost-effective and sustainable policy recommendations, and communicate them to policymakers through reports and presentations. Typical job duties include: ■■ Conducting research. ■■ Analyzing historical data and historical issues to formulate economic theory. ■■ Analyzing ecological and economic trends and cycles. ■■ Identifying economic incentives that lead people or companies to behave in certain ways. ■■ Making predictions by identifying, collecting, analyzing, and using environmental and historical economic information. ■■ Providing reports to external stakeholders on economic performance and outcomes. ■■ Consulting with policymakers, industry leaders, and other potential stakeholders. ■■ Performing cost-benefit analysis of environmental regulations. For more information on this and other careers in Sustainability, go to bls.gov/oco/.