Environmental law describes a network of regulations and customary laws that address the effects of human activity on the natural environment. These laws are also referred to as environmental and natural resource law and center on the idea of environmental pollution.
In addition to this issue, environmental law works to manage specific natural resources and environmental impact assessment.
There are a few key areas that environmental law works to regulate in order to lessen the impact on the environment. Some of these areas include:
Air Quality
Water Quality
Waste Management
Contaminant Cleanup
Chemical Safety
Resource Sustainability
Why is Environmental Law Important?
As you can see from the list above, environmental laws play a huge part in protecting humans, animals, resources, and habitats. Without these laws, there would be no regulations concerning pollution, contamination, hunting, or even response to disasters.
Environmental law works to protect land, air, water, and soil. Negligence of these laws results in various punishments like fines, community service, and in some extreme cases, jail time. Without these environmental laws, the government would not be able to punish those who treat the environment poorly.
Environmental Law Career Paths
There are many ways that you can get involved with environmental law. Whether you are interested in developing policies or enforcing them, there is a place for you in this field.
Environmental Criminal Justice Degree
You may know that you can acquire a degree in criminal justice, but did you know you can specify that degree and earn your online environmental criminal justice degree?
What this means is that you can get a formal education that teaches you how to protect and serve both your community and the environment. A degree in environmental criminal justice gives you knowledge of a combination of criminal law, law enforcement, and environmental studies.
Throughout this education, you learn about law, psychology, environmental studies, sustainability, political science, and more. With a degree from this program, you will be prepared to take on a position with the U.S. National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and a myriad of other federal agencies.
This field is growing at a rapid pace due to the consistent pollution that is happening all over our world and it is estimated that from 2016 to 2026, there will be an 11% increase in employment opportunities. The demand for environmental specialists within not only government buildings, but also to consult businesses regarding their practices and how to decrease their pollution is on a consistent, upwards climb. This industry is one that will continue to expand as our world becomes more in tune with climate change and the effects that humans have on the environment.
Environmental Policy, Law, and Society Degree
If enforcement isn’t quite the route you’d like to take, but you still want to have an impact on environmental law, you may want to look into getting an environmental law bachelors degree.
When studying this discipline, you will not only learn about the environment and its laws, but you’ll gain valuable knowledge concerning advocacy, ethics, and American democracy. You can learn about state and local governments as well as natural resource law and policy.
All of these components come together and allow you to find a career as a lawyer, policy maker, grant writer, or non-profit leader, all within the environmental science industry. You can make a difference within policy and law, rather than enforcement.