Engineers and the Environment—Closing the Gap

Abstract

The successful incorporation of an environmental ethic into the design and management of engineering projects requires an assessment of the ability of the engineering profession to work within a new social framework.

Despite recognition of the legitimate role played by environmental and social factors in the engineering design process, many engineers have been unable to embrace a new way of operating in society. It is argued that this has resulted in the development of new academic disciplines, such as environmental science, which emphasise the use of technical and management skills within a broad contextual framework.

This article examines the traditional approach to engineering design, and highlights its strengths and weaknesses with respect to the successful incorporation of environmental considerations. It concludes that the engineering profession has a broad skill base, but that significant work needs to be done to adapt these skills to ensure that engineers can play a key role in the effective, sustainable management of the environment.