Within the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in concern over the stability of our planet's natural resources and the effect of the human footprint that our industry and day-to-day lives leave on the environment. This concern is well-founded, for research shows that deforestation, carbon emissions, pollution, and other byproducts of human consumption and urbanization are reaching catastrophic levels that could cause irreversible damage if left unchecked. Many majors under the umbrella of environmental and agricultural studies focus at least somewhat, if not totally, on encouraging healthy human interaction with the environment.
Environmental science, soil science, and natural resources and conservation majors all deal with researching and creating more eco-friendly ways of conducting industry, farming, and developing land. They look into the effects of past and current methods of things like power, waste disposal, and large-scale farming and analyze what worked and what does not work.
Dietetics and food and nutrition majors focus on a different aspect of the environment and agriculture. They work with people to promote healthier eating habits as well as with food companies to reduce toxic additives and encourage the production of better food products to feed the country. In this way, they work towards reducing the "pollution" that is found inside many pre-packaged foods.
