Sustainable engineering

Sustainable engineering is the process of using energy and resources at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What engineers can do

*Water supply
*Food production
*Housing and shelter
*Sanitation and waste management
*Energy development
*Transportation
*Industrial processing
*Development of natural resources
*Cleaning up polluted waste sites
*Sitting and planning project to reduce environmental and social impacts
*Restoring natural environments such as forests, lakes, streams, and wetlands
*Improving industrial processes to eliminate waste and reduce consumption
*Recommending the appropriate and innovative use of technology

Accomplishments from 1992 to 2002

*The World Engineering Partnership for Sustainable Development (WEPSD) was formed and they are responsible for the following areas: redesign engineering responsibilities and ethic to sustainable development, analyze and develop a long term plan, find solution by exchanging information with partners and using new technologies, and solve the critical global environment problems, such as fresh water and climate change
*Developed environmental policies, codes of ethics, and sustainable development guidelines
*Earth Charter was restarted as a civil society initiative
*The World Bank, United Nations Environmental Program, and the Global Environment Facility joined programs for sustainable development
*Launched programs for engineering students and practicing engineers on how to apply sustainable development concepts in their work
*Developed new approaches in industrial processes

Future goals

*Creating a comprehensive program to identify and provide the information that engineers in developing countries require to meet energy, water, food, health, and other basic human needs
*Give education for student and practicing engineers to make them realize the importance of sustainability and become environment generalists
*Engaged in decision-making processes and performing projects
*Develop better approaches with the consideration of a project’s environmental costs, impacts, and conditions throughout a project’s life cycle
*Improve the education on sustainability and provide help in developing countries

References

* Vanegas, Jorge.(2004). “Sustainable Engineering Practice – An introduction”. ASCE publishing.
* Antalya, Turkey, (1997). “XI World Forestry Congress”, (Volume 3, topic 2), retrieved from http://www.fao.org/forestry/docrep/wfcxi/publi/v3/T12E/2-3.HTM
* https://engineering.purdue.edu/EEE/Research/Areas/sustainable.html
* http://www.sustainableengineeringdesign.com/
* http://www7.caret.cam.ac.uk/sustainability.htm
* http://www.aaas.org/programs/international/caip/events/fall97/sanio.html