With climate change becoming an increasingly significant threat, we need warriors to spearhead our battle...we need warlocks who understand the adverse impact of climate change and the appropriate pre-emptive and restorative measures...we need Climatologists. Continue Reading
USA 
UK 
Explore Career With climate change becoming an increasingly significant threat, we need warriors to spearhead our battle...we need warlocks who understand the adverse impact of climate change and the appropriate pre-emptive and restorative measures...we need Climatologists.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Climatologist?
A Climatologist would typically need to:
Climatologists can choose to work in a laboratory or an office or carry out fieldwork. They may also find a position that combines all three possibilities. Work in the lab would include taking measurements and recording data. Climatologists do paperwork in the office, analyze data, prepare reports, draft models, communicate with clients, government departments, and the public, and consult with other professionals in their field. Fieldwork for observation and research may take place nearby or in remote locations around the world.
Typically, Climatologists dress in casual attire for the office, business formal for conferences, lab attire for lab work with protective and safety gear, and weather-appropriate clothes, footwear, and headgear for fieldwork.
Consulting work can be done on a full-time or part-time basis, and often involves travel. Lab, field, and research work are flexible. Most Climatologists work full-time during normal business hours.
While overtime may not be required except maybe during weather emergencies, you may need to travel to conduct fieldwork, consult with businesses, or present research and findings at conferences and public forums.
Private and public organizations employ Climatologists who may also work at weather stations around the country or take up consultancy roles with experience.
Climatologists are generally employed by:
Some Climatologists may be represented, in the category of environmental scientists, by Unions such as the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.
Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Climatologist.
Use internships and independent study to get hands-on or specialized experience. Climatology internships might be found through local television and radio stations, your country or region’s weather service, the weather channel, or state emergency management programs. Independent study courses may provide research experience for those who plan on going to graduate school.
Entry-level positions in Climatology require a bachelor's degree in Climatology, meteorology, environmental science, earth science, or atmospheric science. Positions in research, consulting, and academic positions require a Master of Science degree or a PhD.
A Bachelor of Science degree in any of the fields mentioned above or fields such as statistics and mathematics typically enables you to seek work as research assistants or technicians in Climatology.
Voluntary certification from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, build your knowledge in a specific area, and become an independent consultant.
Certification demonstrates competency in skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three.
From entry-level Climatologists with a bachelor's degree through to PhD level positions, there are tremendous opportunities for growth within the field. Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
Candidates with a passion for bringing about positive changes in the climate will have the best job prospects when their passion is coupled with quality education and experience.
Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of professionals towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help Climatologists in the field.
CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated and allows Climatologists to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism.
Climatology and Meteorology
Although the two fields are related, meteorology focuses on weather, weather forecasting, and delivering predictions for the near term. In contrast, Climatology focuses on recording and analyzing global weather patterns and how natural and artificial conditions affect them over a more extended period.
Is Climatology a New Field?
While climate study is as old as the ancient Greek civilization, it evolved as a formal branch of study during the 19th century. Climatologists now pay attention to climatic changes set off by the industrial age, with increasing carbon emissions leading to an effect called global warming. Climatologists seek to understand climate change and global warming and predict their direction and influence on the earth.
Some Questions That Climatologists Seek Answers To
What are the weather patterns that govern normal conditions across the world? How are weather aspects, such as temperature and sunlight related? How does the weather change over time? What are the human causes of climate change and the activities, such as fossil fuel use, that increase greenhouse gas emissions, and how are these linked to past, present, and future global warming?
How do natural phenomena such as solar activity and variations in solar energy and volcanic eruptions release large amounts of ash and other substances into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming? How do natural changes in air and ocean currents affect climates around the world?
Climatologists worldwide are engaged in answering these questions and more to understand the causes and effects of climate change and how to tackle it.
The Role of the United Nations
The global impact of climate change has made it an issue to be tackled at the multinational level of the United Nations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change, preparing and sharing reports about its immediate impact, future risks, and how to adapt to it and mitigate it.
The World Meteorological Organization, another UN body, specializes in weather, climate, operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences, recognizing the need for global cooperation in managing these issues.
Climate Change is a matter of grave concern, and though our responses may not have an immediate effect, they will honestly decide the future of humanity. Now is the time for people to learn, research, and educate...it is the time for us to unite truly. Every second that passes without action is another second wasted. Who shall lead us and provide us with timely guidance? It may very well be you, as a scientist...a researcher...a Climatologist.
What is needed is action at the political and decision-making level. We need a sober, mature look at all the risks climate change entails. No doomsaying, no preaching, no exaggeration to convince others, but also not shying away from voicing the painful reality.
Natural climate solutions such as restoring degraded forests could create as many as 39 jobs per million dollars spent - a job-creation rate more than six times higher than the oil and gas industry.
What do Climatologists do?
A Climatologist would typically need to:
Accredited
$76,189
