Sustainability as an Essential Aspect of Contemporary Engineering Practice - Essay Example

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ESSAY by Sustainability is an essential aspect of contemporary engineering practice, augmenting engineering ethics within contexts of a decision-making paradigm. Critically so, it does appraise various ways/ avenues through which society is able to achieve related learning outcomes; especially those based on – Research-based approaches. Essentially so, is the need for consideration of prevailing merits and drawbacks of incorporated sustainability and ethics within a given engineering contexts especially in the contexts of a project. This consideration is crucial within the various phases of a project, right from the conception period, through to the implementation and commissioning aspect. Adding to this is the evaluation of various means of incorporating both applied and theoretical perspectives on the issue of sustainability within given engineering contexts. Because sustainability and ethics do overlap, abate not coinciding, it is essential to incorporate both aspects in any given form of engineering project. this is optimally achieved by way of clear recognition of the existing points of linkage; which essentially involve aspects such as environmental preservation an sustenance; social sustainability, ethnic reasoning and economic rationality. Introduction Sustainability, as a normative concept, is considered a positive aspect of human development, essential in ensuring peaceful co-existence and harmony between human beings and nature. As a positive aspect, it is essential as a guiding principle for both individual and social influences. Thus, the recognition and analysis of ethical meaning(s), within the concept of sustainability, is essential to be able to comprehensively generate adequate and encompassing analyses and subsequent solutions requisite to sustainability issues. In dealing with sustainability, a number of questions are raised, chief amongst them being: - how one ought to live (sustainably) within the three-fold relationship present i.e. with nature, other contemporaries and future generations (Sustainability Ethics, 2014). In this regard, focus should be on what ways of living and acting, would be adequately respectable to the rights of existing temporaries, future generations and fundamentally so, Mother Nature. In terms of such contexts, the answer would lay in what actions we take, as well as individual and group-entity responsibilities (Abbas et al, 2008:171). A relationship is essential in linking the norm of sustainability and other prevailing social contexts i.e. religious, economic, political and cultural. Hence, it is majorly focused on how sustainability interacts with prevailing societal norms, lifestyles, personal identities and values. To be noted is that a relationship exists between environmental sustainability and human survival, hence the role-play of environmental ethics in all issues concerning human development (Abbas et al, 2008:172/3). In tandem is the essence of sustainability ethics, which is concerned with existing moral aspects; as found within the three-fold relationship aforementioned. Simultaneously, it does analyze the prevailing moral aspects present therein-guiding humanity in developmental agendas. In ecology, sustainability pertains to how biological systems continue to remain both diverse and productive in nature (Abbas et al, 2008:175). Due to the habitation of earth by Man, there is need for sustainable exploitation and utility of the planet. In engineering, it is crucial to also be considerate of the project’s sustainability, as well as influences, impacts and effects on the environment (Abbas et al, 2008:179). When governments and corporations are not governed by way of a strong sense of ethics and equity, within their decision-making processes, it is therefore no wonder that various projected goals of sustainable development are never achieved. As a result, corruption, fuelled by greed becomes too common occurrences in various sectors of human development. This is perhaps what influences the prevalence of numerous investigations that are focused on ethical and/ legal failures of different corporate entities engaged in human development (Mary, 2003:672). To be noted is that ethical behavior, within the context of development, pertains to behavior that is conducive in the promotion of equity. It entails the provision of benefits accrued, to not only those conducting such development projects, but to all those affected by the development activities. Essentially, transparency is deemed as being a pre-requisite for the urgent transformation that humanity requires, in order to not only mitigate, but also reverse environmental degradation in addition to ensuring future sustenance. The above is influenced by the fact that current society demands a paradigm shift towards enhanced equity, in which all individuals’ dignity is respected; as a foundation for greater human development (Mary, 2003:673). A sustainable framework extends its ethical concern for not only current populations, but also future generations. As Douglass and David (2009) assert, due to the fact that current trends portray a faster consumption of natural resources than the rate at which nature can replenish them; such case scenarios do compromise future generations ways of meeting their demands. Indeed, both current and future generations are inheriting a world where biological impoverishment has never been greater, with fewer resources and greater pollution rates. It is the prevailing sustainability challenges that continue to present current populations with the need to consider the wellbeing of future generations viewing their needs as being worthy of present-day moral concern. As encapsulated in the – Brundtland Report – sustainability is indeed an integral framework, within which environmental protection, social equity and economic development are viewed as being inseparable and related goals (Douglass and David, 2009). Pertinently so as Hardin (1968) portrays, is the fact that the report does advance public understanding of the existing link between global protection of the environment, and the economic development of poorer nations in the world. Accordingly, it is the existing gap, between the small percentage of global elite and the mass majority-poor, which inadvertently poses the greatest threat to the greater integrity of the world’s life-supporting eco-systems. Thus, fostering economic development for this mass-majority populace, enhances sustainability; with sustainable development being termed as an inherent moral norm, in addition to being ethically positive (Hardin, 1968:1245). It is upon these contexts that the paper’s focus in – the state of Nalgonda, India adapting a centralized water supply infrastructure in the low income communities present, Is based upon. As Paella (2012) portrays, India’s rapidly growing populace, continues being a perfect reflection of its continued demand for natural resources, as well as pertinent human services. Of specific focus is the essential aspect of improved sanitation and water provision, which has been inhibited by existing traditional institutional policy. This has resulted in the lack of symmetrical expansion of such services, with the prevailing growth rate of the population at large (Pailla, 2012:61). Further to this is the fact that current policy does deter the sustainable development of any form of socio-technical system, which not only addresses current needs and wants, but further allows for the advancement of future generations as well. It is upon these apparently conflicting objectives that focus has been placed, concerning the moral conversation(s) between stakeholders and pertinent decision-makers; concerning future sustainability of India’s huge populace (Pailla, 2012:61). Within the district of Nalgonda, the Andhra Pradesh state, India, both sustainability and ethical considerations have been put forth, in regard to providing better water services, as well as sanitation; with the aim of bettering the community’s overall outcome. Invariably, internal circumstances that contribute to the state of affairs as presently found would be influenced by prevailing current policy, which does not enhance the sustainable development of crucial socio-technical systems. This is further aggravated by the huge influence of prevailing traditional institutional policy (Pailla, 2012:62). As an ‘ideal’ case study, the region is affected by three core issues i.e. the lack of access to the required minimum amount of 40 liters of water per person, per day as defined by the state. The presence of unsafe fluoride mineral content levels in existing groundwater, hence presenting a significant issue of water quality, and lastly, the inter-related aspect of both socio-cultural and institutional issues, which essentially contribute to the prevailing cases of water management problems i.e. maintenance and system operations. Towards trying to attain the set – Global Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), water provision is an essential aspect of human sustenance. Accordingly, by 2015, the target is for all member-states to have ‘halved’ the proportion of whole populations that do not have sustainable access to clean and safe drinking water, as well as basic sanitation (Kumar et al. 2005:34). Within the region, that hosts a population of over 2 million, an approximate half of the population lives on less than the required minimum amount of daily water ration. Further aggravating the situation is the presence of high levels of fluoride minerals that often result in fluoride-related infections such as fluorosis, amongst other skeletal and dental disorders. In addition, is the prevailing presence of other institutional challenges, as faced by other communities in the global arena i.e. promotion of economic growth the expansion of educational opportunities and the management of minority interest. Consequently, its interrelated and complex problems do demand cautiousness in systematic approach. This is the implementation of both inter- and intra-district systems i.e. energy, transportation and water supply. However, the decision-makers within the district did prioritize immediate access, over both collaborative expansion and capacity assessment. Through both support and investment from the World Bank, the district and others surrounding, opted for the building of a centralized water network instead. This move was however to portray the continuous presence of – individual Choice v. the Tragedy of the Commons as Uhl (2004) portrays. It is based upon this ideal that sustainable development; on a community level, does require a shared ethic, as well as full communal participation Uhl, 2004:47). This is conversely tackled by Adam Smith’s assertion that the most effective of ways to achieve communal sustenance, is by way of promoting individual pursuit of personal interests. This utilitarian methodology, while being grounded on individual rights, was to become influenced by the necessity of enhancing individual duties as well (Uhl, 2004:47). Accordingly, successful sustainable development within India has been mainly characterized by piecemeal improvements, rather than through rapid expansion. Subsequently, this has necessitated the undertaking of several collaborative projects i.e. communal construction of open wells, de-fluoridation stations, distribution services and rainwater harvesting schemes (Uhl, 2004:67). Initial protocols showed that water supply provisions within the region lay majorly on both District and Mandal levels. Projects, which are approved at the district and regional levels, subsequently encompass individual villages as showcased by the Alimenti Madhava Reddy (AMR) Water Irrigation Project. While being a centralized large-scale project, at the village-level, operations fall to the existing individual villagers themselves. This has been through enhanced participation and inclusion of the villagers, to the various ways of enhancing the project’s overall impact to the community. Ethically, consideration has been placed upon individual villagers’ input, in terms of continued sustenance of the project in both individual, as well as group capacity (Uhl, 2004:68). Focus has been placed on enhancing each village’s capacity, as well as overall control and development of their areas, considering the role of risks present within such a centralized system (Pailla, 2012:69). Through utility of the precautionary approach, the aspect of sustenance has been improved upon especially in trying to decentralize the project’s overall influence, impacts and effects on the region’s water sustenance. As a result, the trust of various communities present has been enhanced by way of personalizing the issue of safe and clean water provision as well as subsequent proper sanitation measures. Greater focus has been placed on the project’s impact on the environment, as provided in the greater quest for achieving overall environmental sustainability; through consideration of various environmental ethics present (Edwards, 2005:77). Reference List Abbas, E, David, A, Peter, B & Henriikka, C 2008, Sustainability and ethics as decision-making paradigms in engineering curricula. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 9(2): 170 – 182. Bailey, R 2010, Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Environmental Issues, (13th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Douglass, K & David, D 2009, The Ethical Dimension of Sustainability. Santa Clara University [A Short Course in Environmental Ethics], retrieved from: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/environmental_ethics/lesson4.html Edwards, A 2005, The Sustainability Revolution: Portrait of a Paradigm Shift. Philadelphia: New Society Publishers. Hardin, G 1968, The Tragedy of the Commons. 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