Use existing climate data to create mathematical models of what will happen to ocean and land temperatures in the next 50 years.
Testify before Congress about the long-term climate and economic impacts of legislating higher automotive fuel-efficiency standards.
Create graphics and presentations to educate the public about climate change and its impacts.
Help avoid famines by projecting how climate change will affect worldwide farming and food distribution.
Overview
Listen to this section
How is climate change affecting Earth? What will the changes mean for society? If these are questions that peak your curiosity, then you might be interested in a job as a climate change analyst. Climate change analysts evaluate climate data and research to determine how shifts in the climate will affect natural resources, animals, and civilizations. They use this information to make suggestions about what individuals and governments can do to ensure a higher-quality life for everyone in the face of a changing environment.
Climate Change Analyst
Gavin Schmidt is a climatologist and climate modeler at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
Watch the full episode on Secret Life of Scientists and Engineers.
Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Climate Change Analyst?
Reading Comprehension:?Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing:?Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening:?Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking:?Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving:?Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking:?Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning:?Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Systems Evaluation:?Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management:?Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making:?Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Core Tasks
Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Climate Change Analyst might do:
Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.
Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.
Promote initiatives to mitigate climate change with government or environmental groups.
Research policies, practices, or procedures for climate or environmental management.
Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts.
Present climate-related information at public interest, governmental, or other meetings.
Write reports or academic papers to communicate findings of climate-related studies.
Gather and review climate-related studies from government agencies, research laboratories, and other organizations.
Prepare grant applications to obtain funding for programs related to climate change, environmental management, or sustainability.
Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
Develop, or contribute to the development of, educational or outreach programs on the environment or climate change.
Tasks 1/3
Salary & Job Openings
Steps to Get There: Becoming a Climate Change Analyst
Try it Out with an Activity or Project
On the Job
More Information
Please create a free account to view this career and access our full library of over 160 STEM careers.
With a free account you will have access to our full library of over 160 STEM careers. Each career profile includes detailed information to help you learn about a career and the requirements to get there. You can explore:
salary information by state
recommended high school coursework
fun projects and activities to test out a career
videos and interviews with professionals in the field