9781422269992

known as geochemists . Biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms and within entire ecosystems. Climate change analysts study scientific data and conduct research about the effects of climate change on the environment. They make climate related recommendations for potential legislation and government policies, fundraising, or awareness campaigns; write grant proposals (to ask for money to fund projects); and engage in environmental outreach activities (to inform and inspire the public and decision-makers to fight climate change). Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, chemistry, soil science, and biology to develop solutions to environmental problems and issues, such as climate change, drought, pollution, flood protection, harmful automobile emissions, ozone depletion, deforestation, and waste management. Others develop renewable energy resources. Environmental toxicologists investigate the effects of toxic materials and chemicals on humans, plants, animals, air, water, soil, and the overall environment. Some help government agencies and manufacturers determine where chemicals will end up in the environment and in our bodies. Others conduct specialized research, such as investigating the links between air pollution and dementia. Geographers use their backgrounds in the physical sciences, programming, and geography and expertise in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS) to study the earth and the distribution of its land, features, and inhabitants. Physical geographers study features of the natural environment, such as soils, natural hazards, water, plants, landforms, and climate, while human geographers take into account economic, environmental, medical, cultural, social, or political topics in their analysis of the earth and its physical features.

What Do Geoscientists Do?

15