Engineering and the Issue of Environmental Sustainability - Essay Example

Environmental Sustainability in Engineering Abstract The issue of environmental sustainability has recently attracted much attention among nations, owing to the recent changes in climate conditions. It is a serious issue that affects all nations and a wide range of citizens in all areas of life. Environmental sustainability is a prerequisite if we are to achieve a cleaner environment in the future and improve the quality of lives of future generations. This explains the fact that many governments are committed to safeguarding the environment through various strategies. Various academic disciplines such as engineering have also become quite important in addressing the issue of environmental sustainability. This paper addresses the issue of environmental sustainability, giving specific focus on the problem of carbon emissions pollution. First, an overview of the different initiatives taken by governments in Saudi Arabia and Australia in reducing carbon emissions is given. Secondly, the paper gives a description of engineering profession and explains how it contributes to the problem of carbon emissions. Finally, it gives an explanation of a few carbon reduction strategies employed in engineering and analyses and evaluates these strategies. Introduction Environmental sustainability implies the use of natural resources in a way that they are not dissipated negligently and hence, avoid degradation of the quality of life for future generations. Unfortunately, there has been a constant increase in unsustainable resources consumption trends around the globe leading to environmental degradation and constant change in climate. Human activities leading to release of carbon emissions to the atmosphere is, among other reasons, a leading cause of environmental degradation that pose a threat the well being and long-term prosperity of living species (National Research Council, 2010, p. 88). To avoid the irreversible environmental degradation, many governments around the world have come up with various strategies such as the introduction of carbon emission trading scheme (ETS) or a carbon tax. There has also been an increased need for organizations and institutions to establish and implement plans on how to reduce their carbon emissions and lower their carbon "footprint. The importance of engineering discipline in assisting in the reduction of carbon emissions pollution has also been heightened. Various carbon reduction strategies derived from engineering discipline are vital in enhancing environmental sustainability. The strategies involve invention of new technology that reduces energy demand from fossil fuels, improves energy efficiency and that which helps in the direct capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) during and after combustion of fossil fuels (National Research Council, 2010, p. 88). Thus, this paper gives an overview of the contribution of engineering profession to the issue of environmental sustainability. Before this, it gives a comparison of the various initiatives undertaken by governments of Saudi Arabia and Australia in reducing carbon emissions. Comparison of Government initiatives in Saudi Arabia and Australia Saudi Arabia is the world largest producer of oil and according to Oxford Business Group (2010, p. 298), it has recorded constant and persistent increase in carbon emissions pollution in the past. The development of new technologies to replace fossil fuels has been avoided for a long time given that oil accounts for 90% of country’s revenue and 60% of GDP (Oxford Business Group, 2010, p. 298), notes that. However, this attitude has changed recently and Saudi government has come up with initiatives to adopt and support more environmentally sustainable practices. To start with, Saudi government has recently signed numerous international environmental agreements on greenhouse effects and hazardous wastes. For instance, it signed the Kyoto Protocol in 2005 and there are plans to join the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Secondly, the Saudi government has established training and advisory services especially targeting women and children with a prime goal of promoting environmental sustainability awareness among them. Various policies have also been developed to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions, which have been made part of Saudi’s basic law. Also, there are concerted efforts to increase the use of solar energy and reduce the use of fossil fuels (Oxford Business Group 2010, p. 298). Australian government on the other hand has recently increased its commitment to reducing carbon pollution. According to Australian Government (2011), it intends to achieve a 5 to 25 percent reduction in carbon pollution from 2000 level by 2020. To achieve this objective, numerous policies have been put in place to support Australian businesses and households by establishing and supporting clean energy sources. For instance, Australian government has recently invested more than $5 billion to support the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies that will help in the reduction of carbon pollution emissions. The following figure summarizes the quarterly increase in national inventory, the seasonally adjusted emissions growth rates and quarterly change since June 2005. Figure 3.0 National Inventory, seasonally adjusted emissions growth rates, quarterly change. Source: Department of climate change and energy efficiency (2011) The government also intends to introduce carbon price and increase investments in clean energy. Similar to Saudi government, Australian government has been training citizens so that they are able to use clean energy sources. Australia is also party to numerous international environmental agreements on greenhouse effects and hazardous wastes, similar to Saudi government. Description of engineering and how it contributes to carbon emissions The term engineering has a variety of definitions depending on context of application. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) defines engineering as the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind (Wasson, 2006, p. 24). It is an important academic discipline that plays a crucial role in the mitigation of climate change by helping to reduce carbon emissions pollution. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (2009, p. 8), fossil fuels generate around 66.7% of the world’s electricity and as a result, produce approximately 33.3% of the global carbon emissions. The sector also accounts for minor emissions during production and transportation of products such as oil, coal and natural gas. Therefore, engineering is concerned with advancement of new technology options which aid in the mitigation of carbon emissions from production, transportation and use of fossil fuels. Examples of strategies to reduce emissions in engineering include reducing energy demand from fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency and direct capture and sequestration of CO2 during and after combustion of fossil fuels (National Research Council, 2010, p. 88). Explanation, analysis and evaluation of carbon reduction strategies in engineering One of the strategies to reduce carbon emissions in engineering, as noted earlier, is development and implementation of technology that will help reducing energy demand from fossil fuels, through for example conservation or changes in energy consumption. Traditional bio-derived fuels, for instance, are mostly renewable and do not produce carbon emissions (ASME, 2009, p. 9). Thus, development and implementation of engineering technology in which these bio-fuels can be co-fired with coal can help to reduce carbon emissions by the fraction of the bio-fuels employed. Another option would be development of advanced battery technologies and fuel cells that would help to switch the main source of transportation energy from petroleum to electricity, hence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Therefore, application of engineering technology can help to reduce demand and use of coal over time and hence, address the problem of carbon emissions pollution. Another carbon emissions reduction strategy is efficiency improvement. According to ASME (2009, p. 9), increases efficiency directly translates into lower carbon emissions per unit of fossil fuels used. Pulverized coal (PC) combustion is the major technology used in electricity generation today. Many plants improve efficiency for the PC technology by increasing pressures and peak temperatures of the steam cycle, but at a higher cost associated with expensive materials used. Efficiency can also be improved through the replacement of PC plants with supercritical plants, a commercial technology that has around 39 % higher efficiency compared to the PC plants. Ultra-supercritical PC power plants which have been used in Europe and Japan are rated to be more efficient at 43%-48% higher relative most existing PC plants. The ASME (2009, p. 9) further states that the supercritical plants and the Ultra-supercritical PC power plants have the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 10 and 25 percent respectively, given the emissions released by PC plants. Generally, engineering is responsible for such technological advancements that help in the reduction of carbon emissions reduction. Direct capture and sequestration of CO2 during and after combustion of fossil fuels is another strategy in engineering that can help in reduction of carbon emissions. It is a process that involves capturing of CO2 streams in power plants and injecting them into deep geologic formations at high pressures where they remain trapped permanently. According to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (2009 p. 9) the CO2 emissions can be trapped for millions of years and thus, such an approach can help to reduce carbon emissions by 90% or more. New engineering technology have emerged which aid in the implementation of this strategy which is expected to be applied by coal-based power plants in the future to reduce carbon emissions. Conclusion In conclusion, engineering is a profession or a discipline that plays a vital role in addressing the issue of environmental sustainability. It is a profession that deals with invention, development and implementation of new technologies that help in the mitigation of carbon emissions pollution through a variety of strategies. One the measures employed in engineering is to reduce energy demand from fossil fuels through approaches such as conservation or promoting changes in energy consumption. The second strategy is development of energy efficient technology which translates into lower carbon emissions per fossil fuels used. Another effective strategy is development of technology that will assist in direct capture and sequestration of CO­2 and thus, significantly reduce carbon emissions. There are various initiatives undertaken by governments of Saudi Arabia and Australia to reduce carbon emissions, as noted in the essay. Both governments have signed numerous international environmental agreements on environmental protection. They also offered education to citizens regarding the importance of environmental protection through various approaches such as training and advisory services. As noted, Saudi government has come up with various environmental protection policies, which as part of the country’s basic law. Australian government on the other hand has come up with variety of measures to assist households and industries to switch to and adopt clean energy sources. By introducing a carbon pollution reduction scheme and promoting renewable energy sources, Australian government intends to achieve significant reduction in carbon emissions pollution in the future. Glossary Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) - An accrediting agency based in the United States of America Carbon "footprint" - The amount of all greenhouse gas emissions caused by person, product, an organization or an occurrence. Carbon dioxide (CO2) - is a gas produced by human activities, primarily through the combustion of fossil fuels Carbon emission –CO2 gases released into the atmosphere stemming from burning of fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal Carbon tax – A tax on energy sources that emit carbon dioxide. Environmental sustainability - Development that attains the needs of the current generation without negatively impacting the capacity of upcoming generations to attain their own needs Greenhouse gas emissions - gases that allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere freely and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which many believe is the cause of global warming International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) - An intergovernmental organization for promoting the adoption of renewable energy worldwide Kyoto Protocol – An international agreement related with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Annotated bibliography National Research Council, 2010, Advancing the Science of Climate Change, National Academies Press, Washington Advancing the Science of Climate Change is a book that introduces seven cross-cutting research themes that should be included in the nation's climate change research enterprise, and recommends a number of actions to advance the science of climate change. These actions include the deployment of a comprehensive climate observing system, improved models and other analytical tools, investment in human capital, and improved linkages between research and decision making. The book also calls for a single federal entity or program to coordinate a national, multidisciplinary research effort aimed at improving both understanding and responses to climate change. Wasson, C.S., 2006, System analysis, design, and development: concepts, principles, and practices, John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey This is textbook in systems analysis and engineering, which is written for both new and experienced professionals who acquire, design, develop, deploy, operate, or support systems, products, or services. Written in a practical, easy to understand style, this text provides a step-by-step guide to System Analysis and Engineering by introducing concepts, principles, and practices via a progression of topical, lesson oriented chapters. References ASME 2009, ‘Technology and policy recommendations and goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the energy sector,’ Viewed 30 December 011 from, http://files.asme.org/asmeorg/NewsPublicPolicy/GovRelations/PositionStatements/17971.pdf Australian Government 2011, ‘Australia’s low pollution future,’ Retrieved 30 December 2011, from, http://australia.gov.au/topics/environment-and-natural-resources/climate-change Boden, T A, Marland, G & Andres, R J 2011, ‘Global, Regional, and National Fossil-Fuel CO2 Emissions’, Viewed 30 December 011 from, http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/tre_sau.html Department of climate change and energy efficiency 2011, ‘Tackling the challenge of climate change’ Australian Government, Barton, ACT, Viewed 30 December 011 from, http://www.climatechange.gov.au/default.aspx Oxford Business Group 2010, ‘The Report: Saudi Arabia 2010, Oxford Business Group, Riyadh Read More

Australian government on the other hand has recently increased its commitment to reducing carbon pollution. According to Australian Government (2011), it intends to achieve a 5 to 25 percent reduction in carbon pollution from 2000 level by 2020. To achieve this objective, numerous policies have been put in place to support Australian businesses and households by establishing and supporting clean energy sources. For instance, Australian government has recently invested more than $5 billion to support the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies that will help in the reduction of carbon pollution emissions.

The following figure summarizes the quarterly increase in national inventory, the seasonally adjusted emissions growth rates and quarterly change since June 2005. Figure 3.0 National Inventory, seasonally adjusted emissions growth rates, quarterly change. Source: Department of climate change and energy efficiency (2011) The government also intends to introduce carbon price and increase investments in clean energy. Similar to Saudi government, Australian government has been training citizens so that they are able to use clean energy sources.

Australia is also party to numerous international environmental agreements on greenhouse effects and hazardous wastes, similar to Saudi government. Description of engineering and how it contributes to carbon emissions The term engineering has a variety of definitions depending on context of application. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) defines engineering as the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind (Wasson, 2006, p. 24). It is an important academic discipline that plays a crucial role in the mitigation of climate change by helping to reduce carbon emissions pollution.

According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (2009, p. 8), fossil fuels generate around 66.7% of the world’s electricity and as a result, produce approximately 33.3% of the global carbon emissions. The sector also accounts for minor emissions during production and transportation of products such as oil, coal and natural gas. Therefore, engineering is concerned with advancement of new technology options which aid in the mitigation of carbon emissions from production, transportation and use of fossil fuels.

Examples of strategies to reduce emissions in engineering include reducing energy demand from fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency and direct capture and sequestration of CO2 during and after combustion of fossil fuels (National Research Council, 2010, p. 88). Explanation, analysis and evaluation of carbon reduction strategies in engineering One of the strategies to reduce carbon emissions in engineering, as noted earlier, is development and implementation of technology that will help reducing energy demand from fossil fuels, through for example conservation or changes in energy consumption.

Traditional bio-derived fuels, for instance, are mostly renewable and do not produce carbon emissions (ASME, 2009, p. 9). Thus, development and implementation of engineering technology in which these bio-fuels can be co-fired with coal can help to reduce carbon emissions by the fraction of the bio-fuels employed. Another option would be development of advanced battery technologies and fuel cells that would help to switch the main source of transportation energy from petroleum to electricity, hence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.

Therefore, application of engineering technology can help to reduce demand and use of coal over time and hence, address the problem of carbon emissions pollution. Another carbon emissions reduction strategy is efficiency improvement. According to ASME (2009, p. 9), increases efficiency directly translates into lower carbon emissions per unit of fossil fuels used.

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