“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
This is a quote from Robert Swan, founder of the 2041 Foundation (a mission to save Antarctica from the effects of climate change). His statement should stir-up something within each and everyone of us. As engineers, teachers, and parents, we have the means, and therefore the responsibility, to take action ourselves and demonstrate what to do and how to do it to the next generation.
It is time once again to commemorate Earth Day. Celebrated annually on the 22nd of April since 1970, Earth Day has become one of the most recognized movements dedicated to the reversal of climate change and preservation of our planet. Since its launch, Earth Day has mobilized one billion people and 190 countries to take action for the betterment of Earth. Earth Day has also mobilized several categories of initiatives such as ending plastic pollution, conservation and restoration, and climate and environmental literacy. You can read more about the history of Earth Day here.
Why Now is the Time for Action
Here are a just a few of many alarming facts about the direction of our planet from nasa.gov and the IPCC’s sixth assessment report (2021), which are believed to contribute to factors such as rising sea levels and more frequent and intense severe weather:
- Human emissions of heat-trapping gases have already warmed the climate by nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) since pre-Industrial times (starting in 1750)
- The global average temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5 degrees C (about 3 degrees F) within the next few decades
And some additional unfortunate facts from the Earth Day fact sheet:
- Around 380 million metric tons of plastic are being produced yearly. 8.3 BILLION Metric Tons (9.1 BILLION US Tons) of plastic has been produced since plastic was introduced in the 1950s. The amount of plastic produced in a year is roughly the same as the entire weight of humanity
- A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey produced by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that BPA was found in 93% of urine samples taken from people above the age of six
- A new study has suggested that insect populations have declined by 40% globally, and one third are endangered. This is very alarming; insects play a crucial role in pollinating plants, and serve as the base of a food chain that animals and humans depend on
Fortunately, there are some projections for hope of reversing the potential damage to our planet. Also according to the Earth Day fact sheet:
- Adding 10% more green cover in cities and towns could potentially reduce the surface temperature of the area by 2.2 °C
- A shift to regenerative agricultural practices can restore grassland as one third of the earth’s surface is grassland and 70% of those grasslands have been degraded. By using holistic grazing practices, we can restore grasslands
Engineers: An Investment for a Better Planet
The theme for Earth Day in 2023 is “Invest In Our Planet.” This theme will focus on engaging governments, institutions, businesses, and the more than one billion citizens who participate annually in Earth Day to do their part – everyone accounted for, everyone accountable. As a global collective, let’s incentivize everyone to do their part in moving away from a fossil fuel economy to a green economy.
Engineers are known for being great problem solvers. Rather than run from challenges, they embrace them with a genuine desire to improve quality of life. Since the challenges our planet faces affect every human being and life form, engineers are one of the main groups we should be investing in and looking to for solutions and leadership.
Sure, there are obvious examples of engineering fields that have a direct correlation to environmental concerns mentioned above, such as environmental engineering, power and nuclear engineering, or oceanic engineering. But let’s take a look at some other not-so-obvious examples as well.
If we re-examine the Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet,” almost any initiative from the list of Earth Day-backed campaigns can be directly or indirectly linked to the work of engineers. For example, two initiatives on the list are End Plastic Pollution and Fashion for the Earth. Both of these initiatives revolve around large amounts of material goods that circulate around the planet. Materials engineers can help create goods that use green and earth-friendly materials that are still safe, effective, and desirable, and industrial engineers can help create green solutions to package, store, and ship these materials.
Let’s also consider aerospace engineering. One concern linked to global warming is the use of fossil fuels for aviation and the rapid growth of its contribution to greenhouse emissions . Aerospace engineers will be key in helping to integrate new forms of green energy into jets and rockets, with the hope of eventually replacing fossil fuels. Additionally, mechanical engineers will be needed to help build and operate new machines and equipment that can utilize these new power sources.
Another example is civil and electrical engineers. As we look to invest in renewable energy, create smart cities, and make electric cars the new normal, our power grid infrastructure will need a major upgrade. Civil engineers will be responsible for designing and maintaining the operations of these smart grids within local and regional geographical areas, and electrical engineers will be needed to help design the components that deliver these power sources both efficiently and cost effectively.
Our Roles = Our Accountability
IEEE, the world’s largest community of technology and engineering professionals, recognizes the global crisis our planet faces and is committed to helping combat and mitigate the effects of climate change through pragmatic and accessible technical solutions and providing engineers and technologists with a neutral space for discussion and action. You can learn more about IEEE’s dedication to help fight climate change here. IEEE is committed to being a part of a larger global solution for climate change in alignment with many of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, such as affordable and clean energy, climate action, and life below water.
No matter your role, you can help be a part of making a difference by taking the appropriate accountability. Let’s invest in engineering as an investment in the planet.
If you are a pre-university educator or parent, you have the opportunity to help inspire future engineers who might have the next big solution for our planet. Today’s engineers are in agreement that moving beyond simple classroom academics to project-based learning and hands-on exercises are key to both drawing interest in engineering and in helping to further understand textbook concepts.
TryEngineering, powered by IEEE, is dedicated to empowering educators to foster the next generation of technology innovators and engineers through STEM education. TryEngineering offers a comprehensive list of resources such as hands-on lesson plans and activities with themes in climate change such as pollution reduction, renewable sources of energy, and ecology. This Earth Day, be sure to check out the list and find a resource to inspire your students. Additionally, be sure to check out all of the TryEngineering Career Pathways to help your students find a field of engineering that is right for them.
If you are an engineer, your Earth Day accountability might be to consider how your field of expertise can be directly or even indirectly related to the pathway for a better planet. It might even be to leverage your line of work to encourage young students to follow your lead. Engineers are always needed as volunteers and role models to inspire and demonstrate to inquiring and current students in your field. Your leadership might be what drives a future engineer to pursue their engineering interests and stumble upon a planet-changing solution.
If you need some inspiration or ideas, check out TryEngineering’s Pre-University Volunteer STEM Portal. This portal serves as a resource for all things related to Pre-University STEM programs and activities. Here, you can share your STEM best practices and programs with IEEE’s global community of volunteers, find inspiration from what others are doing, and utilize resources from this portal to develop or enhance your own programs. Get started by watching the STEM Portal Overview Video and help make a difference in the life of a future engineer! The TryEngineering comprehensive list of climate change resources offers a list of volunteer programs that have had a direct tie-in to climate change.
Join with IEEE and TryEngineering this year as we invest in ourselves and our planet and take accountability for our future!