Exploring the Purpose of an Earth and Environmental Scientist

In our universe its estimated to have trillions of planets and yet so few that have been discovered are barely able to host life. Our planet is the only one we know so far that can sustain life. Earth and environmental sciences are aimed at understanding Earth's dynamic history, how the planet’s seemly basic but intricate system and processes work and records its origin, how to properly maintain Earth’s resources in a way that allows future generation to have the privilege of utilizing it as the other generations done so and how geological processes affect modern environmental and ecological systems.

Phenomena such as globalization, demographic shifts, and climate change are influencing the global economy, creating uncertainties regarding the future and demanding urgent attention. Rather than focusing on short-term concerns, we should attend to structural changes that will have a global impact and shape the economy in the long run.

With that in mind, the significance and purpose of an Earth and environmental scientist on the economy and 4th industrial revolution is that they figure out a way of integrating the two in a way that is not detrimental to the environment and ensure its sustainability for the long run.

As we now know that natural and human systems are interconnected, in a multiplex manner, the study of a single aspect of the environment essential to build knowledge and make observations cannot be made without comprehension of the external factors that influence it, or that it influences. There are many ways to exemplify this point. The increase in ocean acidity, leading to marine biological degradation through this, economies of regions and nations dependent on fishing falls. Reduction in the volume of stored groundwater, due to over-extraction because of increased demands of farming and urban consumption. The effects on air quality, and therefore public health, due to industrial and transport pollution in major cities.

It is undeniable that the human world's exploitation of natural resources has caused considerable and widespread changes and damages to the natural systems on the planet. One of the biggest problems caused by the exploitation of natural resources is global warming, because of the industrial emission of greenhouse gases, has led to a measurable surface air temperature and sea-level rise. It has also increased the level of moisture in the atmosphere, which in turn is thought to have contributed to extreme weather events witnessed across the planet.

With the planet increasingly under stress, action on environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean health, constitute to some of the most urgent and large-scale challenges we as humans are facing. The innovations of the 4th Industrial Revolution hold great potential for improving management and governance of the global environment and delivering the systems change required to create clean, resource-secure and inclusive economies.

Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and drones, the Internet, advanced materials, 3D printing and biotechnology are particularly relevant to sustainable emerging cities. Many are already showing promise at reshaping urban sectors including transport, energy, waste, water, and buildings and change will only accelerate. Cities can harness these pioneering technologies, combined with each other and with new business models, to not only enhance urban economic productivity but to reduce environmental impact and increase wellbeing.

The emerging digital ocean enables us to track and study ocean activities occurring at any given moment. Drawing on diverse advanced sensor platforms connected through advanced digital technologies, such as high-speed 5G and mesh networks, managers can better monitor fish stocks and catch, and can track individual fishing boats, spot illegal fishing and enforce laws. Where fishing rights have been allocated, timely biological and socio-economic data can help fishers and communities manage their resource. Ocean pollution can also be observed and its effects on the biodiversity around it then measures can be acted upon to reverse the damage caused by ocean pollution to certain locations.

Adding to it, the rapid advances in satellites, drones and advanced sensors could provide a real-time flow of data on greenhouse gas emissions, which would then be relayed across the internet to be tracked by anyone from government officials to schoolchildren. This would greatly improve the transparency of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification data, which is crucial for the accountability and efficacy of global climate agreements. The political implications could be transformative, as could be similar real-time satellite and drone monitoring of industrial greenhouse gas emissions for investors, insurers and regulators. No longer would disclosure regimes rely on companies choosing when and how to report. Instead, the information would be available, for all to see and to act upon.

As much as the 4th Industrial Revolution is changing how people shop, socialize or access information, it is also transforming the ability of scientist to understand nature and how it works and as a result, they can be able come up with ways of protecting and preserving what’s left of it. Now, considering developments in genomics, technology and artificial intelligence, it may also be possible to protect these natural assets.

By replicating bio-based-materials we could have a better and deeper known of the rich biodiversity of our planet. Using technology and also making money out of it, provided by the 4th Industrial Revolution to preserve what is left of the planet’s resources.

In conclusion, Earth and environmental scientists are very essential to the wellbeing of the planet, the ecosystem and biodiversity as well as the economy and the human environment since the systems are intertwined and we humans rely heavily on the planet for sustenance. Most if not all of the riches are stemmed from the environment and maintaining it ensure a stable economy for the long run.