How Climate Crisis Will Affect Engineers

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How Climate Crisis Will Affect Engineers

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Introduction

Climate change is a global issue that threatens the environment and its inhabitants. Over the past few years, rapid and unstable climate changes have been witnessed due to excess human activity such as industrialization. Individuals participate in deforestation and the destruction of fossil fuels which are the main contributors to the greenhouse gases that increase the heat trapped in the atmosphere. Consequently, the climate changes faster, the sea levels rise, leading to the widespread flooding experienced in the coastal regions and other natural disasters like hurricanes and drought. Therefore, the role of engineers in the future is crucial for a conducive and healthy environment and minimum weather fluctuations (Singh et al., 2020). Engineers are faced with the challenging task of enhancing and maintaining a sustainable environment by studying the climatic changes, developing and employing technical strategies that prevent excess global temperatures natural disasters, and combating the effects of excess gas emissions into the atmosphere. This paper will investigate how the climate crisis will affect engineers in the future.

The adverse effects of global warming have been felt in different parts of the world and continue to increase by the day. More industries have been constructed, especially in urban areas, congestions of vehicles are witnessed on the roads, not to mention the destruction of nature and wildlife to settle the growing human population (Wong &Kaufui, 2016). All these human activities need a countermeasure to maintain a healthy environment. Therefore, there is a need to embrace climate engineering in the future to stabilize climate changes and reduce the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Before a green light is given to climate engineering, climate experts assess the risks and costs that accompany this initiative. They also evaluate and compare these two setbacks to the global warming rates and impacts before warranting a go-ahead. There is a need to shift the human dependency on carbon-based fuels to prevent potentially fatal consequences of the destruction of the ozone layer and direct contact of humans with the harmful rays from the sun. For this reason, more engineers will be required in different areas of specialization to push forward geoengineering and prevent further damage by human activities.

The engineering fraternity is faced with the responsibility of neutralizing the impacts of global warming, eliminating the sources of greenhouse gases, and embracing green technology (Rousseau &Denise, 2007). One of the approaches in which engineers and climate experts will ease the climate crisis is the creation of colossal blooms of marine algae, also known as water blooms (Kusiak & Andrew, 2018). The rapid increase in the algae population in any aquatic system is influenced by factors like high temperatures, dead organic matter, and excess nutrients in water catchment areas. Marine algae are essential because they are a source of food, oxygen, and habitat for aquatic life. They release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis, which marine animals consume. Algae supplement approximately 50% of the oxygen used by terrestrial animals. In addition, algae are responsible for 30% of the oxygen used by these animals (Jarman & Melanie, 2007). As primary producers, algae also provide food for aquatic animals, thus giving them a wide range and enough food to feed on. Algae also indicate the levels of pollution in the water. They tend to decrease when pollution occurs as it causes an imbalance in the mineral levels which sustain them.

The colossal bloom of marine algae will help conserve aquatic life. Global warming tempers with oxygen levels in the atmosphere and creates competition among living things. The colossal bloom of marine algae will have solved the problem by reducing the competition by increasing oxygen levels. However, it should be noted that some species of algae are very harmful and can negatively impact marine life. It can bar them from shifting to water surfaces and accessing enough sunlight. Furthermore, some algae species are poisonous when ingested and can lead to the death of marine life. They also have roots that can easily trap aquatic animals especially tiny fish, and suffocate them. Therefore, geo-engineers should be very knowledgeable and careful while employing this strategy of tackling the climate crisis. They have to develop marine algae species that are friendly to marine life and at the same time produce enough food and oxygen to sustain them. The orientation of engineers in terms of their areas of specialization is likely to shift due to the climate crisis (Singh et al., 2020). Most engineers are likely to align with science, and the mechanical sector of engineering is it is more lucrative and relevant. Furthermore, more research institutions will dedicate their resources and funds to better the environment and reduce, if not the complete eradication of global warming scientifically.

The role of engineers will be pretty heavy in the future as their knowledge and expertise will prove essential in creating artificial clouds to reduce heat trapped in the atmosphere and consequently reduce weather fluctuations and dangerous long-term climate changes (Rousseau &Denise, 2007). Artificial clouds are created mainly to reflect the sunlight rays away from the earth’s surface. The redirected sunlight rays are meant to counteract the increased temperature levels triggered by the emission of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Studies show that an average of 2% of sunlight reflected away from the arctic is enough to balance out the heat trapped in the atmosphere due to excess carbon dioxide in the environment.

Statistics show that the white surface polar ice is mainly responsible for sunlight bouncing back to space. Sea ice bounces 90% of sunlight back up, while the dark open ocean is responsible for only 6% of reflected sunlight is responsible for the reflection of sunlight. With the rapid climate change and the accelerating temperature levels, there is a decline in the arctic sea, reducing the amount of sunlight reflected away from the earth’s surface (New York, 1919). Therefore, the artificial clouds come to play and aid in sunlight reflection. Placing scatterers in the stratosphere is one way of installing artificial clouds. It is where engineers use jets to deposit tiny cloud particles in the form of Sulphur dioxide in the upper atmosphere. These small particles then reflect away the sunlight rays above which they are placed such that the sun rays do not hit the immediate surface below the cloud. However, Solar geoengineering should be employed in moderation as it can lead to cool global temperatures, slow hurricanes, crop failures, and other natural disasters (Jarman & Melanie, 2007). In addition, this technology can be weaponized by countries against their enemies during the war, a move that will have disastrous consequences for both parties.

Climate crisis will also affect the transport system adopted in the future. In the present world, the transport system is among the leading causing of environmental pollution worldwide. Most vehicles use petrol and diesel to run their engines and facilitate movement (Seifer & Marc, 1996). These fuels have components that pollute the air once they are combusted. They contribute to heat levels trapped in the atmosphere through carbon dioxide release. To counter this challenge, engineers and science experts will have to research, evaluate, and invent new ways of fueling vehicles that would otherwise favor the environment and positively impact the climate. Engineers will need to develop a transport system that conserves the environment through minimal emissions of harmful greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (Kusiak & Andrew, 2018). One of the methods would be the invention of rechargeable electric vehicles and trains. Some developed countries are way ahead of this technology. The development of such cars is capital intensive hence making them difficult to purchase by individuals. Therefore, Engineers will have to find techniques to make them effective, long-lasting, and less costly, making them easily accessible. The shift to electric cars will have moved the initiative to reduce global warming a step forward.

Furthermore, engineers will have to substitute the diesel and petrol fuels used by vehicles with synthetic fuels as they are environmentally friendly. These types of fuels do not require significant modification of vehicles hence being appropriate and efficient (Jarman & Melanie, 2007). They comprise carbon dioxide harnessed directly from the air, power stations powered by coal, plants or carbon capture and storage technology, and hydrogen. In addition, since they are carbon-neutral, they will not increase global warming as they will not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Rapid climate change is likely to affect short-term and long-term food security in the future. Agriculture, a crucial element in food security, is bound to many challenges in the future due to the climate crisis. Due to the fluctuating temperatures and irregular precipitation patterns, food shortage is likely to be experienced, especially in developing countries because of the unstable economy. Since global warming threatens food availability and accessibility, new techniques have to be employed to avoid starvation worldwide. It is up to the engineers and science experts to invent technological solutions to provide enough food for the growing population. Large-scale energy-efficient drip irrigation in farms would be an appropriate substitution to the greenhouse because they have a minimal negative impact on the environment (Jarman & Melanie, 2007). Food hygiene and preservation are also vital when it comes to food security. Engineers will have to develop inventions that ensure food, especially highly perishable foods, is preserved over long periods and on a large scale. It acts as a short-term solution to food shortages caused by climate change as experts engineer ways of stabilizing the climate, reducing global warming, and getting agriculture back on track.

Engineers are faced with various ethical dilemmas in their line of duty. The primary concern that stands out is nuclear power (Rousseau &Denise, 2007). Despite nuclear power aiding in solving the climate change crisis, it comes with significant problems that could negatively impact the environment and its inhabitants. These problems include nuclear installation safety, high cost, radioactive waste disposal, and weaponization of nuclear power (New York, 1919). Highly enriched uranium, also used in making weapons, is used in most nuclear power plants. It poses a considerable threat to a nation as it creates war tensions among highly competitive countries. Furthermore, radioactive waste is hazardous in nature as it contains plutonium and uranium, which can be harmful when it comes into contact with human beings, animals, or plants. Nuclear plants and installations are capital intensive and are likely to drain a country of its resources. Therefore, it becomes a challenge to balance the costs and the impacts of global warming on the environment and its inhabitants. Engineers, especially in developing nations, face the dilemma of shifting to renewable energy and eliminating the greenhouse gases that are harmful to the environment (Rousseau &Denise, 2007). Renewable energy is quite expensive, and most developing countries struggle with poverty already. Shifting to renewable energy sets them back as they attempt to eradicate poverty hence not fully participating in the fight against global warming. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the developed nations to facilitate this shift as their economy is relatively stable.

Conclusion

The engineering profession is undeniably crucial when tackling the issue of climate change crisis. Engineers are at the forefront in restoring stable climatic conditions, healthy environments, and people. It is essential to acknowledge that climate change significantly affects the future of engineers. It places an arduous task in their hands and therefore should be appreciated. Engineers on their end should give their undivided attention to areas on the verge of collapsing due to global warming. They need to encourage people to adopt renewable energy embrace technology that promotes social change like bicycles and buses rather than personal cars. Engineers should also seek employment in companies with strong social and environmental policies. More students need to be encouraged to take engineering courses in school as more input is required to fight against global warming. Individuals should also take it upon themselves to conserve the environment through creating awareness among themselves, avoiding careless littering, and adopting healthy lifestyles.

References

Jarman, Melanie. Climate Change. Fernwood Pub., 2007.

Kusiak, Andrew. “Smart Manufacturing.” International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 56, No. 1-2, Taylor & Francis, 2018, Pp. 508–17, Https://Doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1351644Mechanical Engineering (New York, N.Y.: 1919). The Society, 1919.

Rousseau, Denise M. “Standing Out in The Fields of Organization Science.” Journal Of Organizational Behavior, Vol. 28, No. 7, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2007, Pp. 849–57, Https://Doi.org/10.1002/Job.457.

Seifer, Marc J. Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla. Carol Pub., 1996.

Singh, Sunil K., Et Al. “Business-To-Business E-Negotiations and Influence Tactics.” Journal Of Marketing, Vol. 84, No. 2, SAGE Publications, 2020, Pp. 47–68, Https://Doi.org/10.1177/0022242919899381Wong, Kaufui Vincent. Climate Change. Momentum Press, 2016.

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