How young people are driving the future of environmental science

There was a time when environmental careers were rarely discussed among young people. Instead, students dreamed of becoming doctors, lawyers, accountants or engineers. Today, however, the story is beginning to change.

Across schools, universities and communities, more young people are becoming curious about climate change, water conservation, sustainability and the future of our planet. What once seemed like a distant global issue has become personal, especially for a generation witnessing environmental challenges unfold in real time. For many young people, the journey into environmental science starts with something simple: a conversation about water shortages, a school clean-up campaign, a social media post about climate change or a workshop on biodiversity.