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Engineering
Roles & Functions |
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As
mentioned earlier, to an engineer, a sustainable system
is one that is either in equilibrium, or one that changes
slowly at a tolerable rate. In the face of limits becoming
obvious today, the old industrial paradigm of unlimited
growth is unsustainable, since it requires unlimited use
of limited resources, and unlimited environmental capacity.
Engineering conceived in those terms is also unsustainable.
To achieve sustainability, there must be sustainable engineering.
Engineers play a crucial role in creating the world's
infrastructure and carrying out projects that meet human
needs. We are problem solvers and work on a wide range
of issues and projects, so we play an important role in
sustainable development by planning and building projects
that preserve natural resources, are cost-efficient, and
support human and natural environments. As an engineer,
you can apply your knowledge and experience to designing
and building projects that meet basic
human needs and that solve
environmental problems.
In every kind of engineering project, your work involves
many functions:
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Baseline
studies of natural and built environments |
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Analyses
of project alternatives |
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Feasibility
studies |
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Environmental
impact studies |
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Assistance
in project planning, approval and financing |
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Design
and development of systems, processes and products |
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Design
and development of construction plans |
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Project
management |
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Construction
supervision and testing |
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Process design |
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Startup operations and training |
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Assistance in operations |
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Management consulting |
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Environmental monitoring |
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Decommissioning of facilities |
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Restoration of sites for other uses |
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Resource management |
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Measuring progress for sustainable development |
You can also promote sustainable development by helping
with programs that help developing countries satisfy their
populations' food, health and other basic human needs,
educate local and global communities on sustainable development,
and by encouraging more engineers to become environmental
generalists, in order to broaden perspectives in engineering.
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