Why Being a Young Naturalist SUCKS

They say the world is your oyster, but what if you want your world to be about studying oysters?

Well, we’re nearly there, 2020 is almost over. Don't worry guys, we've got this!

I thought I’d ramble on again as I have done so many times before but this time, I’m whacking it up a notch from a ramble to a rant. For now, I’ll passionately shout to the hilltops about something which has been getting my goat for years and is evidently shared by many in a similar boat.

That fact is: being a young naturalist in 2020 SUCKS. Don’t believe me? Allow me to elaborate.

 1. The Planet

In case you’re new to this, we’re doomed. With wild spaces depleting, populations expanding and biodiversity crashing, our dear old Earth is going through its most rapidly awful time in its history. You don’t need me to remind you of this, Sir Dave did a splendid job on Netflix. The reality is that everyone before us will likely not experience the worst of our climate crisis and those after us will look at this generation for answers. Great, it’s now our problem. Like a pilot handing you the controls of a crashing plane as he parachutes away. No pressure guys.

Anyone who has studied a conservation-based degree will tell you that each lecture should probably come with a supplement of anti-depressants. The outlook is generally glum and the solutions to the Earth's great problems seem out of reach. But hey, at least the politicians know this and are prioritising this in all their policies...

2. Society

I can’t speak for literally every person on Earth but it is a fair assessment to say that the majority of Homo sapiens walking this green planet don’t give too many hoots about nature. As a whole, the masses are more concerned about economics, personal progression and their own happiness. Everyone claims to love David Attenborough but in the same breath would also not know how to recycle or would find birdwatching weird. If it's cute, pulse-racing and consumable within reach, then it's worth caring about. We all have different personalities and the reality is that not every single living individual has a vested interest in the environment.

What this does mean is that for the select few that bring their Eco-concerns to the forefront is a feeling of isolation. Singularity. Pointlessness. If no one cares as much as I, what is the point? The mindset is as much about fighting lack of awareness as it is environmental issues themselves. The holy grail of any naturalist is to tap into the consciousness of humanity and for there to be a reciprocal understanding of the planet's plight. Alas, the world will probably only wake up once it’s too late. That sucks.  

3. Opportunities

Fortune favours the brave. You only live once. Life is short. You get the picture, there are mountains of stock phrases if you need the motivation to follow your dreams. In the real world that we actually live in, pursuing an environmental career in a field you’re actually passionate for is practically impossible. Undergraduate degrees in zoology, ecology, conservation etc. serve as merely cartoon roads leading to fake Wile E Coyote tunnels. The great promise of profitability dashed by the simple reality of the job market. Any entry-level environmental job requires years worth of voluntary experience alongside a Masters degree. An undergraduate degree on its own feels like a broom without a brush. For those who need to get on with life and make sure there’s enough money in the bank to keep the lights on, this path isn’t as straightforward. Opportunities are evidently dictated by supply and demand, however, in a world where environmental awareness is such a marketable buzzword, you'd think there'd be plenty of companies eager to snap up the next generation of eco-warriors.

That's not to say that the opportunities are not out there, however they're beyond so many hurdles that the sprint is practically painful. Perhaps it is lack of motivation that is the clincher, but is it too much to ask to have a more straightforward career path? Time for another stock phrase: life isn't fair.

Rant over.

Not to be a negative nelly, but these are the harsh realities of the matter. The 'inconvenient truths' if you will. But it can't all be bad, surely?

Well as naturalists, we find enjoyment in the greener things in life, and when you scratch the surface, there's plenty to actually be optimistic about. The rise of renewables is a cause for celebration, plenty of successful reintroductions are bearing fruit and environmental activism has never been so vocal. In an age of social media, environmentalists must keep tapping into this fountain of knowledge from which this generation is immersed within. From my own experiences of like-minded environmentalists on social media, they're all a great bunch with sound core values. 

In terms of opportunities, it is how much you are willing to sacrifice to follow what you truly want. It simply is not feasible for everyone but if you are committed to your passion, you can shape your own destiny. If you want to do it and believe you can do it, then never give up.

The natural world is undeniably amazing and I am confident that the human world will do all that they can to preserve it. I guess that doesn't suck that much?

What do you love/hate most about being a naturalist in this day and age? Let me know in those comments!

Adios...