Hello, my name is Harshit, and I'm from Ranchi, India. I'm in the final year of my Master of Environmental Science at The University of Western Australia (UWA), and I couldn't be more excited about what's ahead.
My journey into environmental science start with a book that really left an impact on me - Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. It's an iconic piece that woke people up to the importance of environmental protection and showed how powerful public involvement can be. What struck me the most was how ordinary people can influence real policy change, especially when it comes to something as critical as climate action. That idea really motivated me to dive deeper into this field, knowing that together we can push for a better, more sustainable future.
I chose Perth as my study destination not just because of its beautiful weather and stunning natural environment (which, by the way, is amazing!), but also because the people here are incredibly friendly, and it's such a multicultural place.
Plus, UWA is one of the best places to study environmental science, especially when it comes to areas related to mining, which I've found really fascinating. Oh, and did I mention, UWA has peacocks roaming around campus? It's honestly one of the coolest things about being here!
Living in Perth has been an eye-opening experience. You meet people from all over the world, and each conversation opens a window into their countries and the environmental challenges they are facing. Whether it's about droughts, floods, or waster management, these perspectives help shape a more complete picture of how interconnected our world is, especially when it comes to climate change. It has made me realise that to truly solve problems, we need to collaborate across borders and learn from each other's experiences.
When I think about the major environmental challenges here in Perth, climate change and global warming are at the top of the list. The impact is everywhere - from bushfires becoming more frequent to scorching hot summers that just seem to stretch on and on. And it's not just here; back home in India, we're feeling the heat (literally) with rising temperatures and shorter winters. It's a stark reminder of why the work we're doing in this field is so important.
During my studies, I've come across some pretty exciting solutions to fight climate change.
For example, AI and data analytics are being used to fine-tune how we distribute renewable energy, which is an area I'm really interested in. I've also seen some brilliant minds working on creating biodegradable materials to replace plastic, which could drastically reduce pollution. And one thing that really stood out to me is how important it is for different fields to come together to tackle these global challenges - no one discipline can solve them alone.
Currently, I'm working at an environmental consultancy, which has been a great way to apply what I've learned and help businesses become more sustainable. It's been rewarding to see real-world changes happen because of what we do. Looking ahead, I'm keen to keep growing in this field and am even thinking about diving into more advanced studies to expand my expertise.
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