Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering PDF

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Topic Learning Outcomes At the end of the discussion the students will be able to: » Learn the importance of Environmental Science & Engineering in the field of Engineering. » Enumerate and Discuss the 17 Sustainable De...

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Topic Learning Outcomes At the end of the discussion the students will be able to: » Learn the importance of Environmental Science & Engineering in the field of Engineering. » Enumerate and Discuss the 17 Sustainable Development Goals  WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING? Environmental engineering is a profession that applies mathematics and science to utilize the properties of matter and sources of energy in the solution of problems of environmental sanitation. These include the provision of safe, palatable, and ample public water supplies; the proper disposal of or recycle of wastewater and solid wastes; the adequate drainage of urban and rural areas for proper sanitation; and the control of water, soil, and atmospheric pollution, and the social and environmental impact of these solutions. Historically, environmental engineering has been a specialty area of civil engineering. Today it is still primarily associated with civil engineering in academic curricula. However, especially at the graduate level, students may come from a multitude of other disciplines, such as chemical, bio-systems, electrical, and mechanical engineering as well as biochemistry, microbiology, and soil science. What is Environmental Science? Environmental science brings together the fields of ecology, biology, zoology, oceanography, atmospheric science, soil science, geology, chemistry and more in an interdisciplinary study of how natural and man-made processes interact with one another and ultimately affect the various biomes of Earth. Importance of Environmental Engineering in the field of Engineering The goal of environmental engineering is to ensure that societal development and the use of water, land and air resources are sustainable. This goal is achieved by managing these resources so that environmental pollution and degradation is minimized. Environmental engineers study water, soil and air pollution problems, and develop technical solutions needed to solve, attenuate or control these problems in a manner that is compatible with legislative, economic, social and political concerns.  The conventional starting point for discussions on sustainability is that Sustainability published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED, 1987) a method of harvesting or Sustainable development using a resource so that Development that meets the needs of the present without the resource is not compromising the ability of depleted or permanently future generations to meet damaged. their own needs. Sustainable Economy One that produces wealth and provides jobs for many human generations without degrading the environment. There are two fundamental principles of this definition of sustainability: Reduction in the use of both renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. Provision of solutions that are both long-term and market-based.  Green Engineering The design, commercialization, and use of processes and products that are feasible and economical while (U.S. EPA, 2010): reducing the generation of pollution at the source minimizing risk to human health and the environment Sustainable Development Goals HISTORY The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, including the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. ❏ In June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment. ❏ Member States unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration at the Millennium Summit in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York. The Summit led to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015. MDG Photo courtesy: UN ❏ At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012, Member States adopted the outcome document "The Future We Want" in which they decided, inter alia, to launch a process to develop a set of SDGs to build upon the MDGs and to establish the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. ❏ In 2013, the General Assembly set up a 30-member Open Working Group to develop a proposal on the SDGs. ❏ In January 2015, the General Assembly began the negotiation process on the post-2015 development agenda. The process culminated in the subsequent adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 SDGs at its core, at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. Photo courtesy: United Nations  Davis, Mackenzie & Masten, Susan (2013). Principles of Environmental Engineering References & Science. 3rd Edition: McGraw Hill Education, Inc. United Nations (https://sdgs.un.org/goals ) https://www.mcgill.ca/civil/undergrad/area s/environmenta Thank you. ASSIGNMENT ANSWER THE FOLLOWING: What is the importance of Environmental Engineering and Environmental Science in the field of Engineering? Choose at least one of the 17 SDGs, then discuss its significance. Define vulnerability in terms of sustainability under conditions of climate change. COVER PAGE