In the last lecture we discussed the role of engineers from sustainability perspective. Below are some of my thoughts on the last discussion and on the course as a whole.
It is obvious that European standard of living is not sustainable.
Some see this as a new market opportunity, some go desperate, and some doesn’t care at all.
There are a vast variety of areas on which sustainable solutions can be applied. These range from water resource management to waste management, from energy consumption to transportation. Even though engineering is an essential part of the solution, it usually tends to deal with the symptoms instead of essence of the problems. There is injustice, inequality, excessive consumption, ignorance and so on.
One common belief is that one has to sacrifice his welfare for the sake of sustainable living. When the term “sacrifice” is in the frame, actions are no more voluntary. I don’t believe in using fear (such as fear of climate change) as a mean to change the way people live. I think there is a way where one lives in harmony with the nature not because he is afraid, but because he enjoys this.
Living in harmony doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning all the technology and civilization. Engineering, social media and information technology is changing the way we are living. I don’t believe there is any problem with developing technology. At the end it is people’s decision how to utilize new technology and existing resources.
New technologies and regulations can bring timely solutions to the most urgent problems; however it would take more than sustainable technologies to have a real change.
There are a vast variety of areas on which sustainable solutions can be applied. These range from water resource management to waste management, from energy consumption to transportation. Even though engineering is an essential part of the solution, it usually tends to deal with the symptoms instead of essence of the problems. There is injustice, inequality, excessive consumption, ignorance and so on.
One common belief is that one has to sacrifice his welfare for the sake of sustainable living. When the term “sacrifice” is in the frame, actions are no more voluntary. I don’t believe in using fear (such as fear of climate change) as a mean to change the way people live. I think there is a way where one lives in harmony with the nature not because he is afraid, but because he enjoys this.
Living in harmony doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning all the technology and civilization. Engineering, social media and information technology is changing the way we are living. I don’t believe there is any problem with developing technology. At the end it is people’s decision how to utilize new technology and existing resources.
New technologies and regulations can bring timely solutions to the most urgent problems; however it would take more than sustainable technologies to have a real change.
