(The following article is an excerpt from a paper work project in
collage titled “Global warming, an environmental issue related to engineering”)
As the old saying that goes in every problem there is solution, we
would like emphasize that the challenges of environmental issues caused by
global warming to engineering has solutions.
We have heard about the term “Circular Economy”. Circular Economy as we describe in its simple
definition means an approach of producing and consuming which involves sharing,
reducing, re-using, recycling, repairing, refurbishing, and repurposing the existing
materials and products as much as possible.
We have to do these in order to find the solution on global challenges
such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution. Engineering can apply this in building
communities and nation as well. In
designing the engineering works, it has to align with the principles of
circular economy. For example is
reducing. Since we have already maximize
the resources of earth, or abused if that is the right term, then all we need
to do is to reduce, or moderate everything if inevitable. Reduce the construction of new building by
renovating old and dilapidated buildings, as possible. Reduce the erection of new buildings by
repurposing the existing buildings. By
doing these, old and dilapidated buildings can be transformed into advanced
spaces, maximize the space of the buildings and their uses. This is a
significant response to circular economy because construction of buildings
reduces the use of resources such as metals, minerals and energy. At the same time demolition reduces the
production of wastes such as Co2 and solid wastes.
On electrical engineers point of view, engineers should apply the
reduction of waste from lights pollution.
Today, business establishments, buildings, and facilities are having
excessive exterior lighting and illuminations.
By reducing the lights, it subsequently reduces light pollution,
enhances power conservation, reduces glow in the atmosphere, and benefits the
environment. The policy of limiting the
use of outdoor lighting “when it is needed”, “where it is needed”, and “what is
the required amount only” has to be observed.
Sustainable designs such as wind turbines, solar panels, waste water
management systems, recycled waste do not compromise the natural
environment. When we use renewable and
recyclable materials, reducing energy consumption of the building, reducing
on-site waste, and protecting the natural habitats, we are part of sustainable
engineering.
Circular economy is actually changing the cycle of the products and
properties: the Take, Make, & Dispose cycle. Engineering, or whatever profession it is,
takes materials from nature, make the products out of it and use them, and
dispose in landfills or burn them in incinerators. That is the cycle. The circular economy redesigns the
cycle. From take-make-dispose cycle,
circular economy replaces it with this cycle: first is to close the cycle by
recovering materials through remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling. Second is to narrow the loop by using less
resources, less materials without losing integrity of the usage of the product. And third is to slow the loop by using
resources longer, reusing them and repairing them.
Hence, the best practices approach are Reuse – reuse by another
customer of the product which is still in good condition. Reduce – reducing the consumption of
material. Repurpose – use discarded
product in new function. Repair – repairing
or upgrading objects rather than throwing them away. Refuse – do not consume what you do not need
to. And recycle – make material to obtain the same or lower quality.
Circular economy focuses on low environmental impact and minimizes
waste and excessive resource use by turning goods at the end of their lifespan
into new resources for others. Consider
the design when planning a renovation by applying sharing, which is another
principle of circular economy.
Introducing the design of office spaces as co-worker concept, it
maximizes the spaces and reduces the uses of resources like wood, plastic, and
energy. When construction of building is a must, then it must to be considered
in engineering designs the support to green movement. The strong presence of greenery of the trees
and plants that shade the spaces serves as heat resistance for structures and
makes its life span longer. It makes a
building an environmental and nature friendly.
Engineers are the subject matter experts when it comes to this
field. Engineers, under their
professional code of ethics, play the fundamental roles in ensuring
infrastructure designs and operations are continuously adapted to the impacts
of climate change to ensure public safety.
By applying the principles of circular economy, they emphasize the
design-based implementation of the three base principles: eliminating waste and
pollution, circulating products and materials, and regeneration of nature. Maybe we cannot totally stop engineering works
by now but we can reduce and slow down the harmful effect of climate
change. Remember, applying circular
economy interrupts the engineering to input resources when it provides new
materials for construction, and disables the their outputs resources when
demolishing such as creating solid waste that we dump in junk sites, and this
helps the environment to slow down global warming.
