Page 69 - EducationWorld June 2020

SPECIAL ESSAY

If Not Now, When? Five Reasons to Study

Environment & Sustainability

he environmental crisis is Professor, JSES.
sweeping the planet. Rising As the world faces an increasing array
temperatures to loss of of challenges, solving them requires one
Tbiodiversity, increasing pollution to understand a diversity of perspectives
to impending population displacement, behind environment and sustainability
smoggy skies to sinking coastlines—the issues. Students will learn to appreciate the
effects are devastating. environment in tandem with economics, law,
A small group of voices has been policy, politics, technology, culture, and much
screaming climate change for a long time. more through a well-rounded multidisciplinary
Yet there is a need for climate action with curriculum. Its focus on qualitative and
a refreshed perspective—and it is coming. quantitative analysis and research will foster
When youth icons like teenage climate activist skills to consider global, national and local
Greta Thunberg to India’s very own, eight- concerns more empirically. The programme Professor Arjya B. Majumdar
year-old Licypriya Kangujam stand up and will also introduce a strong practical dimension architecture, banking and finance, and liberal
speak out, the whole world listens. Imagine through student-initiated projects. For young arts and humanities is the scope to explore a
what a generation of empowered young students, the opportunity to specialise in a spectrum of cross-listed electives.
people could do to save the world? field of their choice and create real-world Students can delve deeper into areas of
That is exactly what O.P. Jindal Global impact is remarkable. interest and build-up a holistic academic
University (JGU), Sonipat has set out to 3. Learn from the best portfolio. For instance, a course on
inspire. It is in the search for solutions “This is the vanguard of something that can ‘Environmental Management & Green
towards a sustainable future that the private Marketing’ can support green entrepreneurs
university recently launched its new school, be incredibly exciting and powerful. There’s no in-the-making; or ‘Negotiation, Mediation
other place on Earth where such an institution
Jindal School of Environment & Sustainability & Arbitration’ can lend an edge to those
(JSES). Here’s a look at some salient reasons could take root and actually achieve results. interested in law and diplomacy. An
It gives me hope and confidence, that with
to consider the three-year interdisciplinary Environmental Studies graduate who knows a
programme, B.A. (Hons.) Environmental lawyers like M.C. Mehta and leaders like thing or two about ‘Doing Business in China’,
Studies that will offer a platform for young Prof. Raj Kumar and Prof. Rosencranz, we’re ‘Design Thinking’ or ‘Governance of Artificial
people to prepare for the environmental needs going to be able to do it,” beams Justice Intelligence & Blockchain’ will be a cut above
of the 21st century. Michael D. Wilson, Supreme Court of Hawaii, the rest.
who is among JSES’s International Board of
1. Save the world! Advisors. 5. Launch into careers in conservation,
It is clear as day—though ironically, clear The faculty and advisory line-up is a pool policy, law, research & more
days are numbered—that climate change of interdisciplinary academicians from top There are many ways you can be a
is real. Yet climate action has been coming crusader for the environment. Graduates can
slowly. The landmark Paris Agreement of international universities, and legendary work with conservation groups and NGOs at
2015, that set out to curb rising temperatures professionals like Mr. M.C. Mehta, the a practical level; apply theoretical knowledge
“well below” two degrees Celsius, is going celebrated Indian environmental lawyer. to careers with think-tanks, governments,
to miss the mark. To succeed in meeting Educated at Princeton and Stanford, Dean research organisations and academia; or use
environmental goals requires greater levels of JSES, Prof. Rosencranz is an iconic the broad-based degree as a spring-board for
of innovation and collaboration between figure in the field. He co-authored the book futures in other fields—the possibilities are
industries, governments, academics and Environmental Law and Policy in India, which endless.
communities. Through cutting-edge teaching, is easily to be found on the bed-side of many
research and practice-based engagements, aspiring environmentalists! It is this level of The world needs more lawyers,
students will be equipped with the know-how expertise and mentorship that will bolster businesspeople, politicians, journalists,
to identify key solutions at JSES. The school learning at JSES. bankers, economists, diplomats, artists,
hopes to evolve a strategic plan for these 4. Explore multidisciplinary electives analysts, researchers and academicians as
extraordinary times. Whether you go down the route of much as hands-on environmental activists,
who are equally passionate about the planet,
2. Understand the environment in a employment or entrepreneurship, diversifying ready to rise to the challenges, and facilitate
holistic way your skill set is important in today’s world. positive action in every sphere. This is a
“A primary goal of JSES is to offer Complementing a niche specialisation with programme that aims to raise a generation of
undergraduate students a concentration in a broader understanding of other areas is a responsible citizens of the planet.
environmental studies with an opportunity winning combination.
to explore how humans interact with the A striking advantage of studying at an
environment, including physical, biological, interdisciplinary university with schools of Professor Arjya B. Majumdar
philosophical, social and legal elements,” law, business, international affairs, public B.A., B.Sc., LL.B. (NUJS-Kolkata), LL.M. (Tulane)
explains Dr. Armin Rosencranz, Dean and policy, journalism and communication, art and Dean, Admissions & Outreach

EDUCATIONWORLD JUNE 2020