Engineers Told They Have the Power to Save the Planet
By Steve Last
LIFE ON Earth will cease by 2100 unless engineers get to grips with designing to prevent climate change, a sustainability expert speaking at The Top UK Civil Engineering Conference "Civils 2006" warned last Autumn (2006).
Merton Borough Council energy and sustainability manager Adrian Hewitt warned delegates that the tipping point for climate change comes in 2062 when the CO2 level in the atmosphere reaches 550 parts per million. By 2100, he argued, life will end.
But, he said, it is not too late to act. By grasping more efficient forms of design and using environmentally friendly power sources the level of emissions will fall. However, it will need a global effort as the UK only accounts for 2% of world emissions.
Hewitt told delegates that designing energy-efficient buildings with power generating devices providing 20% of energy requirements is one of the vital measures that will not only save the planet, but also aid in getting planning permission.
Government plans are in place to force designers of new structures for the capital (London) to improve energy efficiency by 2008. However, Hewitt and London Climate Change Agency senior energy efficiency officer Tatiana Bosteels believe there will be huge advantages to companies that get involved earlier.
Bosteels said that London's renewable energy and efficiency energy market will grow to £3.5bn (GB Pounds, $7bn) a year.
The above was reported in the New Civil Engineer Magazine.
Our Comment:
Only Engineers have the power to implement the new sustainable measures society needs to avert climate change disaster, and they will be in very high demand to resource these changes.
If you know an Engineer, do encourage him or her to become actively involved in sustainability issues.
We need that person and their colleagues to do this, because unless population growth can be controlled and nearly halted urgently, these are the only people who can save the planet.
Engineer's UK President Makes Climate Change Main Theme for his Term in Office
Civil engineers are to take a lead in helping win the battle against climate change, President Quentin Leiper, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, told nearly 400 guests at the Institution's annual dinner, held in Birmingham in March (2007).
Prof. Leiper, said that if all 77,000 ICE members did just one thing a day to help deliver sustainability, promote the value of engineering knowledge and to mentor others they could each deliver over 84 million actions every year.
Professor Leiper said he wanted organisations to recognise the real benefits of driving sustainability into their strategy and culture, in order to deliver its agenda. He has made it the main theme of his year in office.
"Climate change is the biggest global issue we are facing," he said. "The government is committed to cutting carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. But they can't do it themselves - as engineers we have a part to play not only in design but also in our own business operations."
Quentin said that reducing energy consumption in offices and on projects, and cutting travelling would act as "quick wins." He suggested five more actions - knowing why we need to be more sustainable, energising and motivating teams, providing simple to follow guidance, showing leadership and demonstrating and celebrating success.
" It is also clear that if we want to make tomorrow a better place, we must develop and enthuse our young engineers about the sustainability agenda. These young engineers will design, construct and maintain our infrastructure, protect and enhance our environment and make the difference we want to see in the world," said Quentin.
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