Environmental Studies
Earth's environment is maintained through complex feedback mechanisms which, over geologic time, have created an environment replete with myriad life forms and incredible biological, geological, and cultural diversity. Humans have always affected their environment, but since industrialization, the nature and scope of human impact has increased dramatically.
Our current use of natural resources is spiraling due to consumption-based economies and increasing demand by humans for necessities such as food, energy, and fresh water. Human activities have led to widespread air, water, and soil pollution, and set in motion long-term and troubling changes in our climate, new extinctions, unsustainable patterns of resource extraction and waste creation. Poverty and racism further exacerbate resource access disparities and threaten the livelihoods and survival of many humans around the world.
Environmental concerns will be with us for generations as we work toward a more sustainable way of life. The Environmental Studies program structures a liberal arts education around these concerns and prepares students for entry-level positions, as well as graduate study, in fields related to environment and sustainability.
To celebrate the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah, members of the Abbe Center for Jewish Life and HWS community volunteers performed the tradition of Tashlich with a focus on…
Ten members of the 2018-19 Hobart and William Smith Colleges sailing team were recently named to end of the year all-academic teams. Ten sailors were named to the Middle Atlantic…
Media and society major Linh Nguyen ’21 created the water drop logo for the Year of Water that is being used to promote the initiative’s interdisciplinary programming throughout the 2019-2020…
