Responding to the challenge

Engineers should broaden and strengthen their approach and become political

A synopsis of the Forum paper by Don V Roberts, Vice President, CH2M HILL

The media has brought global environmental problems to the forefront of our consciousness. There are three central premises. The human population has risen dramatically over the last 200 years following thousands of years of slow growth. This rapid population growth has produced non-sustainable demands on our global environment. The World Commission of Environment and Development (WCED) concluded that it is technically possible to provide the minimum needs of about twice the present population during the next century on a sustained basis, without continued degradation of the world's ecosystems. To make the transition from unsustainable environmental conditions to a stable or nearly stable global environment requires unprecedented global decisions and actions within the next 20 years.

In the past, engineers have unintentionally contributed to global environmental problems by designing facilities and systems that raised the quality of life for many of the world's communities. The improved quality of life resulted in lower death rates, which in turn have heightened the impacts of consumption and waste generation on the environment.

Rather than continue in this shortsighted pattern, engineers should take an active role in solving problems through practical applications of science and technology, helping world populations adapt or modify behaviours toward sustainable development.

Full circle

Nature uses closed-loop self sustaining systems like the hydrological cycle. Man has a once-through use of resources. We should alter our linear approach to consumption and waste generation toward a more sustainable cycle. In this engineering model of sustainable development, the use, processing, transportation and consumption of resources must flow continuously as a closed loop to the extent possible. The manner in which we process, modify and transport resources must be conducted in harmony with the natural environment, which requires changes in manufacturer, distributor and consumer habits, particularly in the area of energy sources and usage.

This closed-loop system requires minimal waste generation, with by- products from manufacturing and consumer use being recycled many times over. Impacts of waste products must also be minimized, with programs set up for clean-up and reprocessing of old waste sites. In addition, development of biodegradable or environmentally benign synthetic products will be needed to lower our dependence on natural resources. Improved water, mineral and energy management techniques will be required to lessen negative impacts on the environment.

All these changes in the way we impact the natural environment need planning and leadership prior to implementation. Here, the individual engineer can step forward and make a difference. There are four areas in which engineers can take action:

• Become informed about environmental issues;
• Inform others of these issues;
• Improve environmental planning on projects;
• Become leaders and decision makers regarding the environment.

Rather than taking the traditional approach to specialised engineering disciplines, individual engineers can become environmental generalists as well. Because of a historical lack of education and training in public speaking, history and economics, engineers must also broaden their backgrounds in these and other areas.

Painting the picture

Individual engineers can give presentations within their companies, professional associations and community gatherings to inform others about environmental issues. Participation in public hearing and legislative procedures as well as environmental awareness groups are avenues of exposing others to critical issues and technologies.

Global technology transfer is another major area needing development. "Senior mentor programme", utilizing the knowledge and experience of late-career or retired engineers could be instigated. These individuals could be of assistance as advisors to environmental agencies, engineering firms and other organisations.

Regional development centres should be set up to coordinate teams of consulting environmental engineers, international lenders, local university personnel and other volunteers to educate engineers within developing countries. Regional centres could be sources of long-range regional development planning, baseline environmental studies and independent reviewers of projects. Students from industrialised countries could also come to regional development centres for expanded training.

The traditional American environmental impact study model can be improved by extending the front-end and the long-term monitoring of projects and their environmental impacts. Baseline studies, learn work and monitoring are three major aspects of the improved model.

Taking the lead

To summarize, engineers who have traditionally avoided the political arena must get involved politically. As technical advisors to government agencies and clients, engineers can emerge as environmental leaders and decision makers. In addition professional engineers, in the future must include broad, multi-discipline training, liberal arts education, communication and leadership training, and knowledge of political sciences.

Learning from the past, becoming informed about environmental issues, informing others, and using broad knowledge to adapt projects to the closed loop ecosystem model is what engineers must do. As community and industry leaders, engineers will have the opportunity to set new standards in resource management, industrial processes, transportation systems, energy use, waste minimization and general environmental management and restoration.

| FIDIC 1990 |