Environmental scientists assess the impact of human activity and develop scientific, risk-based solutions to help secure a sustainable global environment. An interdisciplinary approach to problem solving is essential in this field, meaning that both the biological and earth sciences are encompassed within the course, as well as studies in environmental planning and management. Environmental issues are many and varied, and an interdisciplinary approach is followed in the teaching of this course. The Master of Environmental Science will prepare students to deal with issues such as climate change, carbon trading, greenhouse gas emissions, water resource management, competition for land use, salinity, land degradation and rehabilitation, flora and fauna, habitat destruction, deforestation, energy and mineral depletion, air and water pollution, soil erosion, and groundwater contamination. University of Western Australia is well equipped for teaching and research in environmental science and is supported by the Centre of Excellence in Natural Resource Management, the Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Initiative, the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens Biodiversity Conservation Centre and the Ecosystem Restoration Laboratory.