Energy & Environment Concentration

The concentration in Energy and Environment explores the politics and policies of environmental sustainability and environmental protection, climate change and climate emergencies, natural resource governance and the worldwide energy industry, and ways to meet global energy needs in an ethical and sustainable way.  

International Development students are equipped to confront the global climate emergency that threatens human survival, especially the poorest. Students study efforts to achieve a just and equitable transition to renewable energy, thereby cutting global greenhouse gas emissions, while securing affordable and resilient energy systems and investing in economic diversification of traditional fossil fuel reliant regions. Students learn about policy strategies at the international, national, state and local levels to govern and protect the environment. Successes such as the Montreal Protocol for the protection of the ozone layer inform current efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and transboundary air, water and waste issues. Alumni have secured positions in international organizations, national non-profits and non-governmental organizations worldwide, federal, state and local governments, and the for-profit sector. Through this concentration, students take courses on topics such as: climate action; environmental policy; planning and analysis for sustainable regions; natural resource management; environmental economics; and links between the environment and global health.

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