Can you find a rewarding career in the climate change field? Yes definitely. How can we know? you told us
Two weeks ago we asked you to talk about your career in this field. It’s no surprise that nearly everyone who wrote to us said they enjoy what they do. (so do i.)
Many people changed jobs. why? Because you care, you need meaning, and you felt you had to do something. For some, that meant going back to school to learn new skills. An online community for posting jobs and providing tips was also helpful.
We spoke to people working in the fields of investment, climate change technology, education, outreach, consulting, engineering and research. You said your job was exciting and made you more engrossed.
Now let’s talk about the downsides. Many of you have stated that you have cut your salary to change careers. Not everyone can do it. But you mostly said the tradeoffs are worth it.
And you said it would be overwhelming and scary to think about the climate change crisis all day at work. But some of you say you’re more optimistic now that you’re doing something about it.
We have read all your responses and learned a lot. Here are some, edited for length and clarity.
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Roger Grunefeldt, Sustainable Home Energy Advisor, The Hague:
I love helping people with their homes, especially in this time of the energy/gas crisis. It’s great to visit homes and get a sense of where owners can best help. There are many options to choose from, both technically and financially. It’s really nice to hear that people like to have a real discussion about their options. The “downside” is that it’s hard to do anything with real impact. The steps are very small and the challenges are very big, so don’t lose faith.
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Ana Yoerg, Venture Capital, Pennsylvania Media:
I am the head of marketing for a venture capital firm that invests in climate technology start-ups. It was a mid-career transition from working in content and editorial for a major personal brand to following my passion of helping deep tech startups in marketing and communications.
They were incredibly caring, deeply thoughtful people. I felt like I hit the jackpot. A VC with a heart. And a mission to save the earth. Through technology, yes, but also through pure capitalism. They only invest in start-ups with better unit economics than existing solutions. Because they are pragmatic and understand that a green premium will never cause a change in buying behavior.
The biggest pro I would say at the moment is street cred. That is, the interest of others. Other marketers at VCs are like, “Wow, climate?” that’s cool. It should be good storytelling. Vaccines for bees, biodegradable Styrofoam, drones planting trees at 120 per minute? Yes, please. My 9 and 11 year old sons also think it’s incredibly cool what I do. But they still haven’t invited me to speak in class. So maybe I overestimate the hip factor. But dinner conversations are fun.
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Mary Goldman, Financial Reports, Cambridge, UK:
I urge C-suite executives to think more about climate change and how it impacts their businesses, and start conversations about how strategies need to be adjusted to address climate risks. I love being in a position to be. The downsides are office politics and a constant yelling into the void. Sometimes we have to take our clients on long journeys and realize that climate change is real.
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Scott Huckle, nonprofit researcher in Madison, Wisconsin:
We conduct applied research on new approaches, both technological and human factors, to equitably mitigate climate change. I really enjoy working on new and innovative approaches all the time. Always evolving. And the applied nature of this work means interacting with all those who use these new approaches and those who work on pushing them to market. Observing the interaction of community and innovation is fulfilling and engaging. The downside is that applied research is much more time-consuming than mainstream implementations, is fraught with all sorts of practical barriers, and ultimately means a great deal of failure.
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Alexander Flake, Patent Law, Boulder, Colorado:
As a legal services professional, I have found it difficult to find purpose in my previous positions. There didn’t seem to be a patent firm with such a focus on climate, so I made one. Since then, I feel that my work has become more fulfilling. Despite doing very similar work, I feel like I am part of something bigger than myself rather than being primarily motivated by profit. The downside is that the income is significantly less compared to the long-established company I used to work for. As the space as a whole grows, we are confident that we will be able to secure more business and increase the profitability of our business without sacrificing value.
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Finally, don’t you want to change careers? As some readers have pointed out, any job can be a climate change job. You can be the one who encourages employers to reduce their companies’ emissions, start recycling and adapt to increasing flood risks. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write!
Important news from The Times
Do not mention ESG: Some business advisers are urging clients not to talk about tackling climate change at all, fearing greenwashing or accusations of “awakening capitalism.”
Mapping superstorms at sea: Understanding the secrets of a warming ocean can sometimes require sailing straight into the biggest hurricanes. It can be a wild ride.
Common sense composting tips: Don’t get bogged down in details. Just do it and focus on the big picture.
NYT book review
Free Parking Land: In “Paved Paradise,” Henry Glover examines how America’s obsession with parking lots has changed roads and cities, and none for the better.
Before You Go: He Has Billions To Fund Clean Energy
Jiggar Shah is running a federal program that will suddenly lend large sums of money before the next elections. As part of the Inflation Control Act, Congress has expanded its power to arrange loans to clean energy companies tenfold to more than $400 billion. This job comes with big expectations and big stakes.
Claire O’Neill, Chris Prude and Douglas Altine write for Climate Forward
