Reader response on Why the climate fight needs engineers (Draft2)

Reader Response

In the article “Why the climate fight needs engineers”, Shah (2015)  mentions that Asia’s development is susceptible to a hostile environment. Global warming increases the awareness of the need of a decarbonised economy.  As there is increasing demand to transform cities into a sustainable urban and economic system, engineering solutions will see a peak in local and regional areas. Thus, experts face obstacles in their attempts to combine integrate individual technologies into a single system.

I agree that "climate fight needs engineers" to a certain extend because I believe that everyone has a part to play in transforming towards a cleaner and greener world.

Firstly, individuals play an important role to tackle global warming by controlling the usage of fossil fuels. Some examples include cycling to work, utilising energy-saving light bulbs at home and switching off household appliances when not in use. In addition, Earth Hour events held by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), promotes the idea in going green. The objectives of Earth Hour are to inspire an “interconnected universal community”,  to exchange the prospects and encounters when crafting a sustainable world. These activities raise awareness to cut down "carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions."

Secondly, education is one of the fundamental aspects to the global response to climate change. For example, Climate Change Education for a Sustainable Development programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims to increase youth’s awareness on the consequences of global warming. Member States’ competency are build up to implement quality climate change programme consisting of creative teaching methods and organizing this programme in school. It will take more than a few months to achieve a sustainable future. But, with great commitment and a set of realistic targets, we can ensure that we are heading in the right direction.

Lastly, country government plays a key role in the fight against climate change by introducing new policies. For example, the President of the United states, Obama, introduced the “Clean Power Plan." "Clean power plan" is designed to promote the use of less polluting and cleaner American energy. Strict standards are set for power plants and goals are set for the states to reduce carbon pollution.

Engineers are vital to fight climate change. However, engineers alone cannot fight climate change without everyone's cooperation. Recently, the haze situation in Kalimantan, a region from Indonesia, has shown even with engineering solution to clear land for palm oil plantations, locals still prefer to burn forests which results in uncontrollable forest fires. Instead of using controlled logging and allowing young trees to mature to replace the older trees, forests are still burnt as it is the cheapest farming methods inherited from past generations. Afforestation (planting trees in abandoned agriculture land) and reforestation (replanting of trees on previously forested areas) are methods to preserve the environment. Conservation of forest involves careful planning and use of resources to protect and preserve the natural habitats of the forests.

In conclusion, individuals, education and government should work cohesively in order to achieve greater level of success. If everyone makes an effort to go an extra mile, earth will be effectively sustained as everybody's actions count.

References:

Shah V. (2015). Eco-business, Why the climate fight needs engineers. Retrieved from http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-the-climate-fight-needs-engineers/

Earthhour.org. (n.d). Celebrating Earth Hour | EARTH HOUR. Retrieved from http://www.earthhour.org/celebrating-earth-hour

Nature.org. (n.d). Take Action to Fight Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/help/

The White House. (2013). President Obama’s Plan to Fight Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/climate-action-plan

UNESCO. (2014). Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development at UNESCO. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/education-for-sustainable-development/climate-change-education/

EPA. (n.d). Cutting Carbon Pollution from Power Plants. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/fact-sheet-overview-clean-power-plan

Bokova, I. (n.d). Educating for Sustainable Development. Retrieved from http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/world-education-forum-sustainable-development-by-irina-bokova-and-christiana-figueres-2015-05#1y2Th7MlPWfKvOGj.99

Edited (1st October 2015)