Studying in this field is the first step on a recognised career path, although one that is still in its infancy in major industries
GLOBAL WARMING, air pollution, extreme weather and a multitude of other environmental issues have gone from loony conspiracies to front page news over the past few years.
From deadly late-season typhoons in the Philippines and smothering smoke clouds caused by land-clearing fires in Indonesia, to rising temperatures, disappearing glaciers, melting polar ice caps and multi-year droughts, the stories are becoming commonplace.
They have also prompted calls from environmental groups, NGOs, politicians, health experts and affected communities for the introduction of tough measures to counter the climate changes.
'Research by WWF and others has shown that the health of our planet is getting worse every year, and at an increasing rate,' said Andy Cornish, director of conservation for the global group in Hong Kong. 'While some people in business still cling to the old-fashioned view that the state of the environment does not have an impact on them, few in Hong Kong would agree with that now our air quality is so bad.'
The various causes were given a boost this year by the surprise box office hit, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore 's apocalyptic warning about the threat of global warming.
