Responses to Reading Questions
Preface to Becoming Part of the Solution: The Engineer’s Guide to Sustainable Development
(Bill Wallace, American Council of Engineering Companies, 2005)
1. What does sustainable development mean?
Possible Responses:
• Shifting away from heavy use of nonrenewable material and energy resources
• Creating new materials and inventing technologies that make better and more-efficient
use of renewable and nonrenewable resources
• Restoring and reserving renewable resources and ecological carrying capacity
• Fair and equitable use of resources among populations, nations, and generations
• Striking a balance among economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity
2. What challenges does sustainable development present to engineers?
Possible Responses:
• Finding new ways to meet society’s resource and energy needs using renewable supplies
• Reduce damage to ecological systems by reducing emissions to air, water, and land
• Completely overhauling the world’s infrastructure to replace existing systems with new,
cleaner, and more efficient processes, systems, and technologies
• New forms and levels of engineering experience and expertise will be needed
3. How is sustainable development an opportunity for engineers and engineering firms?
Possible Responses:
• Tremendous new set of market opportunities
• Many sustainability changes, such as increased energy efficiency, reduce operating costs
and create higher profits.
• Following the precepts of sustainability increases shareholder value.
4. List 3 warning signs that current development is not sustainable.
Possible Responses:
Urban sprawl
Urban runoff/water pollution
Climate change
Water shortages
Deforestation
Loss of biodiversity
5. Why is the “take-make-waste” traditional production-consumption model no longer
sustainable?
Possible Responses:
World population growth coupled with economic expansion are placing unprecedented
demands on resources and ecological systems – these demands cannot be met by merely
patching up mistakes or waiting for technology to save the day.
6. What role can engineers play in sustainable development?
Possible Responses:
The world makeover to sustainable development will require an array of technologies and
processes, most of which have yet to be invented.
7. How are engineers currently part of the problem?
Possible Responses:
When engineers find ways to extract more resources faster and cheaper than before, and
make, transport, and sell more goods, engineers are part of the problem. We are supporting
the take-make-waste model.
8. How can they become part of the solution?
Possible Responses:
• Invent and apply new technologies that use less materials and energy.
• Instead of finding ways to sell more products, we can help clients get more service per
unit of product.
• Design buildings and other structures and products for reuse and recyclability.