The study of Economy, Environment, and Sustainability is a cornerstone of Geography at the University of Oregon. We examine diverse processes related to interactions between human society and the biophysical environment, ranging from the mostly physical to the mostly social. Our interests touch upon human impacts on riverine systems, sustainable cities in the global North and South, nature conservation and protected areas, food economies and development, impacts of climate change on policy, environments and economies, and environmental conflict, politics, and governance.
As a geography major, youll come to understand how national and physical boundaries affect power and inequality, the significance of resource abundance and resource shortage for different people in different places, why particular regions contribute more to environmental issues than others, how climate change affects plants, animals, and water resources, how place defines who we are, how we act, and the choices we make, and much more. Youll learn how to use cutting edge spatial technologies that are in high demand in business, governments, and nonprofits around the world. Asking these questions and using these methods, youll learn where positive change is taking place and how to be a part of it.