Right Major to help Environment in Government

Hi all,

I am currently at community college, and aiming to eventually transfer to a four year. I have always been interested in the environment, and want to work in the government helping to design policy. I have been involved in local advocacy efforts, and have a good understanding of issues. I am also likely to have an internship with a city next year.

I’m trying to figure out what major to aim towards. I was originally thinking about Environmental Studies (or similar), but I heard that it doesn’t give you as useful skills and that it would make more sense to major in something scientific, i.e. Environmental Science. But I’m afraid it might lead me to just do stuff like water quality testing and the like.

I have very much enjoyed Earth Science. However, I’m not sure it would lead to the kind of career I’m looking at, and whether or not it is too limited. The same goes for physics; I enjoy the theoretical/cutting-edge side a lot and I’m sure it could be applied, but I’m not sure if it would be the best choice.

Would Environmental Engineering or Environmental Engineering Science be a better major?

Finally, I’ve heard about “Environmental Economics”. It looks interesting, but I’m afraid it’s not focused enough on stuff that would help me be effective at crafting policy.

Please help! Any discussion would be appreciated. Don’t limit yourselves to what I listed.

Thanks

Or maybe an “Environmental Policy” degree?

Look for a policy major along with environmental science minor or environmental science major with policy minor or double major.
Government, political science with a policy concentration, would also work. Environmental science is better than environmental studies, but as a minor envionment studies works.