Engineering in Environmental and Technological Contexts AKHIL A T

Role of Engineers Engineers are designers who use scientific principles to optimize their design. Engineers can use systematic, objective engineering analysis and design techniques. Engineers are innovators. Engineer have the much potential to impact global sustainability through the product and processes designed. Engineers are charged to be “dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.”

Environmental Impacts ISO Definition Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting form an organization’s environmental aspects Aspects ISO definition of aspects: Element of an organization’s activities or products or services that can interact with the environment Environment being defined

1. Environmental impacts of engineering decisions The job of the engineer is the world - making it habitable, enabling it to support human life. Engineering is concerned with the built environment around us, at the present time and in the future; where it will continue to evolve, with new technologies and innovation being discovered.

Different demands on the next generation of engineers: Loss of ecosystem services – Environmental Different energy scenario – Energy Water availability problems – Water resources Globalization – Different Economics

How the engineering decisions affect for environment. Any construction work that occurs anywhere in the world, will have a profound effect on the natural environment of both the site and the area around it. E.g. If you build a dam on a piece of land, a body of water will build up behind it to form a reservoir. Apart from the visual impact of the dam itself, a large area of land will be flooded and consequently many plants and possibly animals may be lost.

2. Some “Global "environmental concerns Population growth, food production, water supply and energy supplies Global warming (the greenhouse effect) The depletion of the ozone layer These problems have socio-political-economic as well as technological aspects… All but the last are closely related to population growth...

Global Warming Deforestation is thought to be the main cause of 'Global Warming'. If it is the civil engineer that is causing deforestation of some of the rainforest, then it could be construed that it is the engineer who is damaging the whole of the natural environment Use of resource wasting and polluting technology by industries in the absence of regulatory mechanisms. Over-exploitation of resources by those who have advanced technology in order to gain supernormal profits. Excessive growth of fossil fuel powered vehicles

STRATEGIES TO MINIMIZE THE WORSE EFFECT ON ENVIRONMENT BY ENGINEER’S DECISIONS Introducing Environmentally Friendly Technologies. Some fundamental principles are as follows: The 4 R’S Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Replace the use of natural resources Instead of end-of-pipe corrective measures, go for preventive measures The 3 E’S In selecting technology consider Economic Feasibility, Endowment Rationality and Environment Sustainability