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Sustainability: What Does it Mean for
Engineers?
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Objectives
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Define sustainability.
2. List the 3 pillars of sustainability.
3. Give an example of ways that engineers can contribute to a sustainable future.
4. Give an example of a sustainability indicator/metric for engineering designs.
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What is Sustainability?
• Meeting society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Brundtland Commission, 1987)
• Humans are integral part of the natural world and nature must be preserved.
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Triple Bottom Line Solutions
• Good for the environment
• Good for economics
• Good for society
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The 3 Pillars• People
– Fair practices for all people and does not exploit interest of separate parties based on money, status or growth.
• Planet– Management of renewable and non renewable
resources while reducing waste.
• Profit– Financial benefit enjoyed by the majority of society.
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Yes, engineers are part of the problem.
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We’re also an integral part of the solution.
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We’re also an integral part of the solution.
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We’re also an integral part of the solution.
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We’re also an integral part of the solution.
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Examples of Other Ways that Engineers Can Contribute to a
Sustainable Future
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But not if we keep designing things in the same old way.
Engineers of the future need to think differently.
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Traditional Engineering Design Criteria:
• Function• Cost• Safety
Sustainable Engineering Design Criteria:
The above plus:• Impact on people (society)• Impact on the planet (environment)
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Questions for future engineers to ask about their designs:
• Will it be made from recycled materials?
• How much energy will it use?
• Will it be powered by a battery or solar cells?
• Will it be able to be recycled at the end of its useful life?
• Will it have parts that contain toxic metals that must be disposed of?
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Examples of Sustainability Indicators/Metrics for Engineering
Designs
What criteria can we use to compare 2 engineering designs to determine which is more sustainable?
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Life Cycle Analysis
• Process of comparing sustainability indicators for various engineering designs.
• – Can be done using Sustainable Design
Tables (see “Sustainable Design” Module), or software (e.g. www.eiolca.net)