In these days of underwater exploration with a focus on extracting the earth’s resources via massive tunnels that wind their way down beneath the ocean floor, tragic ecological accidents are happening more and more often. Many of the most responsible corporations do their best to prevent problems and try to keep their equipment in excellent condition; plus, they take responsibility for cleanup efforts when accidents happen. Other corporations and governments are much less ecologically minded, seemingly concerned only with making money. They let their equipment fail, and when accidents happen, they try to cover them up or point fingers in an effort to get off the hook. This is where environmental investigators come in. Let’s take a closer look at this growing field.
What is an Environmental Investigator?
Environmental investigators are people who have dedicated their careers to preventing and exposing ecological crimes. Not only do they encourage companies that undertake operations which affect ecosystems to adopt sound protection policies, they conduct thorough investigations to find out how accidents happen and provide important insight into preventing problems from occurring in the future.
Some environmental investigators work for government agencies, like Coast Guards, Navies, and Environmental Protection Agencies around the world. These investigators often conduct inspections onboard ships and in waterways and inside corporations that release chemicals or byproducts into waterways. Often granted law enforcement powers and working hand in hand with local and governmental law enforcement agencies, these investigators work long hours, travel to remote locations, and sometimes get very dirty during the course of their missions. They must often respond to major spills and accidents thousands of miles away from home, and they’ve got to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Other environmental investigators work undercover, investigating spill sources and uncovering environmental crimes, then alerting the media, regulatory agencies, and other authorities about what is happening. They gather physical evidence, film footage, and photos; plus, they’re experts at obtaining information on individuals or corporations responsible for causing destruction. Like spies working on behalf of the planet, they often risk life and limb in an effort to halt illegal activity.
Working as an Environmental Investigator
Environmental investigators are well-educated individuals, often with backgrounds in sciences and criminal justice. They must be physically fit in order to carry out their missions, and those working in marine environments must normally hold commercial or technical diving qualifications. The work is demanding and sometimes requires a strong stomach; these investigators are often some of the first people to the scene of massive bird and fish die-offs that have happened as the result of an environmental accident or crime. Often responsible for tagging and preserving animal remains for later research and for use as evidence, these hard-working professionals witness tragedies, sometimes on a massive scale.
Despite the challenges, the rewards are many; probably the best reward is the intrinsic value of the nature of the work itself. Spending a lifetime in the service of the planet and all her people, animals, and plants is rewarding in and of itself. Monetary compensation is often quite good, as are associated benefits; the more advanced one’s degrees and level of experience, the greater the responsibility and compensation.
If you think you might be interested in this type of work, start by volunteering to help with coastal cleanups, or see whether you can visit with professionals working in the field. Prepare yourself by taking courses that focus on science, with a strong emphasis on marine biology. By investing in education and getting as much hands-on experience possible, you can work your way toward a rewarding and challenging career, and the planet will thank you.