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Earth Science Careers: Climate Change & Natural Hazard Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Student surveys house damaged by hurricane

Earth Science Careers: Climate Change & Natural Hazard Risk Assessment and Mitigation

sustainability solutions | disaster relief | emergency management | risk management | climate resilience

Background

In the face of changing climate and increasing risks from natural hazards such as wildfires, hurricanes, landslides, and drought, there is a growing need for earth scientists to mitigate the causes and help communities and ecosystems adapt to the changes that are already occurring. This interdisciplinary, broad-ranging field encompasses everyone from researchers to policy scientists to outreach and education specialists, all focused on informing and protecting our communities from current and future natural disasters, reducing the severity of climate change impacts, and enhancing resilience to its effects.

Current and Future Job Prospects

Job prospects in Climate Change and Natural Hazards fields are expected to grow significantly in response to the escalating impacts of climate change and the increasing global commitment to addressing it, especially as governments, businesses, and communities prioritize climate action and invest in sustainable technology and resilience-building measures to address the challenges of a changing climate. Career opportunities will span across sectors and disciplines, offering diverse pathways for Earth scientists committed to tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time.

What Graduates Do

Graduates play a pivotal role in understanding, monitoring, and responding to the impacts of climate change in Earth’s systems:

  • Research scientists
  • Policy analysts and planners
  • Renewable energy specialists
  • Environmental engineers
  • Natural resource managers
  • Disaster relief coordinators and planners
  • Community resilience coordinators
  • Sustainability managers
  • Disaster risk reduction specialists
  • Climate educators and communicators

Degree expectation: Jobs for local and state government offices require at least a BS, sometimes an MS degree. Jobs at environmental consulting companies may require either a BS or an MS, depending on the type of work and level of responsibility. Typically, the research-focused jobs at federal government agencies, universities, research institutes, and energy companies will require a PhD. At many research institutions, non-profits, and technology companies, there are jobs outside the research fields, such as grants managers, program directors, communications specialists, etc., that hire at the BS level with relevant experience.

Common entry-level jobs

  • Hazards/GIS analyst
  • Catastrophe modeling assistant
  • Resilience planning intern

Major employers

  • State Geological Surveys
  • State and Local Governments
  • Universities
  • Utility companies, electricity and gas providers
  • Insurance companies
  • Federal Government Agencies (US Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency)
  • Research Institutions, NGOs, and Nonprofits (National Center for Atmospheric Research, Woods Hole Research Center, Woodwell Climate Research Center, Natural Hazards Center, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Environmental Defense Fund, ClimateWorks Foundation, Rocky Mountain Institute, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy)
  • Technology and Engineering Companies (Siemens, General Electric Vernova, Black & Veatch)

Knowledge and Skills

Essential Knowledge and Skills: 

  • Base knowledge of surface processes & climate science 
  • Familiarity with GIS software
  • Remote sensing/GIS data analysis
  • Common programming languages (R and Python) 
  • Proficiency in MS Office software
  • Data management
  • Statistical analysis
  • Verbal and written communication skillss
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Critical thinking
  • Project management

Recommended Knowledge and Skills:

  • Base knowledge of natural hazards risk assessment and natural resource management
  • Advanced analysis and modeling tools including machine learning
  • Big data analysis & management of large datasets
  • Familiarity with Federal, state, and local environmental regulations and policies 

Given the dynamic nature of climate change, Earth scientists need to be adaptable and innovative, willing to explore new ideas, technologies, and approaches to address emerging climate-related issues. Understanding the varied impacts of climate change and natural hazards on different communities is important for developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies that address the needs of all populations, including those most vulnerable to environmental risks.

School of Earth Science programs in Climate Change & Natural Hazard Risk

  • B.S. in Earth Science: Climate, Water, and the Environment Subprogram
    The Climate, Water, and the Environment BS Subprogram provides essential training in climate systems, water resources, and environmental processes through courses like hydrogeology, climatology, and geochemistry, preparing students to assess and mitigate risks from floods, droughts, extreme weather, and climate-driven hazards. Graduates are equipped for careers in climate risk analysis, natural hazard assessment, environmental consulting, and water resource management with government agencies, insurance companies, or consulting firms.
  • Earth Science Bachelor of Arts (BA)
    The Earth Sciences BA provides a flexible liberal arts approach to earth science with fewer math and science requirements than the BS, making it ideal for students interested in climate communication, environmental policy, science education, or careers that combine earth science knowledge with social sciences, business, or law. This program is well-suited for students planning careers in climate policy analysis, environmental journalism, science outreach, disaster preparedness coordination, or graduate programs in environmental law or public policy related to climate adaptation and hazard mitigation.
  • Earth Science Masters and PhD programs
    Earth science MS and PhD programs provide advanced training in hazard forecasting, geospatial analysis, and quantitative risk assessment methods, along with specialized research opportunities in topics like climate change impact assessments, flood prediction, earthquake hazard mapping, and climate adaptation strategies. A MS degree is necessary for most professional earth science positions, while the PhD is essential for research positions, university faculty roles, senior government scientist positions, and leadership roles in climate risk consulting and policy development.
  • Certificates in Climate Change Fundamentals , Hydrology and Marine Science
    Certificates demonstrate specialized expertise to employers and graduate programs, can often be completed with minimal additional coursework beyond the subprogram requirements, and strengthen applications for competitive positions in focused areas of climate and hazard science. The Climate Change Fundamentals Certificate provides foundational knowledge of climate science and impacts; the Hydrogeology Certificate specializes in groundwater systems critical for assessing flood risks, drought impacts, and water security under climate change; and the Marine Science Certificate focuses on coastal hazards, sea-level rise, and ocean-atmosphere interactions that drive extreme weather events. These certificates enhance career prospects by demonstrating specialized expertise in specific aspects of climate and natural hazard risk assessment.
  • Minors in Earth Sciences, Geochemistry & Environmental Studies
    Minors provide interdisciplinary breadth that complements the technical depth of the Earth Sciences major, demonstrate well-rounded expertise to employers and graduate programs, and can be strategically chosen to align with specific career goals in climate and hazard risk fields. An Earth Sciences minor offers foundational geology knowledge useful for understanding how natural systems respond to climate stressors and hazards. A Geochemistry minor provides analytical skills for tracking pollutants, understanding biogeochemical cycles affected by climate change, and assessing environmental contamination from natural disasters. An Environmental Studies minor adds critical perspectives on sustainability, policy, and human dimensions of climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, bridging the gap between technical science and real-world implementation.