Science & ResearchO*NET: 19-3011.01
Will AI Replace Environmental Economists?
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
55out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
55/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
5/5
Advanced
Total Tasks Analyzed
18
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
- ▸Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
- ▸Develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental and economic data.
- ▸Monitor or analyze market and environmental trends.
- ▸Develop environmental research project plans, including information on budgets, goals, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
- ▸Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
- ▸Teach courses in environmental economics.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (5)
- Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
- Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
- Develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental and economic data.
- Monitor or analyze market and environmental trends.
- Develop environmental research project plans, including information on budgets, goals, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
👤Requires Humans (3)
- Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
- Teach courses in environmental economics.
⚡AI-Assisted (10)
- Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
- Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
- Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.
- Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
- Conduct research to study the relationships among environmental problems and patterns of economic production and consumption.
- Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
- Write social, legal, or economic impact statements to inform decision makers for natural resource policies, standards, or programs.
- Develop programs or policy recommendations to promote sustainability and sustainable development.
Key Skills Analysis
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 4.00/5.00
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 4.00/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.50/5.00
Systems AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.25/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Systems Evaluation
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Management of Financial ResourcesAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Environmental Economists have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 55/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research