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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A Challenge for Engineers

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A Challenge for Engineers. Ata M. Khan March 2002. PRESENTATION STRUCTURE. Problems Solution: Sustainable Development Role for Engineers Conclusions. Problems. Limited supply of world’s non-renewable resources Rapidly increasing demand –

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A Challenge for Engineers

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  1. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A Challenge for Engineers Ata M. Khan March 2002

  2. PRESENTATION STRUCTURE • Problems • Solution: Sustainable Development • Role for Engineers • Conclusions

  3. Problems Limited supply of world’s non-renewable resources Rapidly increasing demand – world population will double in ~70-100 years Non-renewable resource use (e.g. enrgy): excessive rate – no regards for future generations

  4. Problems (Continued) 87% of the energy used/yr is non-renewable (including fossil fuels & nuclear energy) Serious emission problems around the world (air pollutants & greenhouse gases) Health & environmental problems

  5. Problems (Continued) Industrial society: serious waste disposal problems Fertile land and fresh water are in short supply in many countries Many fresh water supplies, including aquifers are becoming polluted

  6. Solution: Sustainable Development World Commission on the Environment & Development – the Brundtland Commission (1987): “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

  7. Natural Resources Canada defines Sustainable Development as: “The integration of environmental, economic and social considerations – as the key to ensuring we maintain our quality of life and continue to create jobs, without compromising the integrity of the natural environment or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

  8. Principles of Sustainable Development: Defined by the Ontario Roundtable on the Environment & Economy • Anticipation & prevention • Full cost accounting • Informed decision-making • Living off the interest • Quality of development (now called smart growth) • Respect for nature & the rights of future generations

  9. Anticipation & Prevention, Full Cost Accounting, Informed Decision-making • Study alternatives (scenarios) and their effects – including long term impacts - Economic, social, environmental effects - Include externalities (effects on health & environment) • Selection based on all criteria.

  10. Living off the Interest • Use the concept of the renewability of a resource • Simple Example from Engineering Economics: Available capital =$100b At i = 6%, N=>Infinity Annual expenditure that can be sustained forever=$100bx0.06= $6b

  11. Quality of Development(Smart Growth) • Further increase, or at least stability in human welfare • Decrease in resource use • Decrease in environmental damage

  12. Role for Engineers:All actions in support of Sustainable Development • Rearch & Development (R&D) • Policy, Planning, Design, Implementation, Operations and Maintenance (O&M)

  13. Relevance to Engineering Education & Practice • All Engineering Societies & Associations strongly endorse the Principles of Sustainable Development • According to the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB): sustainable development needs to be a part of the curriculum of engineering programs.

  14. Example: Reduction of Air Polluting & Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions • The Kyoto Protocol for GHG Emisions, Negotiated in December 1997 • If ratified, Canada must reduce GHG emissions to 6% below 1990 level by 2010.Even if not ratified, GHG reduction will remain as a goal. • Challenges for Engineers in every sector (e.g. Transportation)

  15. Example: Sustainable Transportation • Does not endanger public health or ecosystem • Meets the mobility needs consistent with: - Renewal resources consumption at below their rates of regenarion - Non-renewable resources consumption at below their rates of renewable substitutes.

  16. Transportation and GHGs • The Kyoto Target: A Major Challenge • In transportation, approx. 35% reduction • Approx. 50% of GHGs (transportation) - urban centres • Approx. 75% from passenger cars and light trucks • Approx. 35% of urban GHG emissions from Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver

  17. Moving Towards Sustainable Transportation: Examples • Alternative Fuels (e.g. ethanol, natural gas) • Advanced technology vehicles: fuel cell, hybrid • Urban public transit • Non-motorized modes • High speed ground transportation for intercity travel: High Speed Rail, Maglev (if economically feasible) • Efficient freight transport: Rail

  18. Conclusions • A high degree of acceptance of the principles of sustainable development around the world. • Engineers are playing a key role in the application of these principles: - R & D - Planning, design, implementation/manufacturing, operations & maintenance.

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