Our world has been impacted for all the pollution we have created. Human development and new technologies have improved our lifestyles, but have we ever thought about the consequences? How our new lifestyles are affecting the green world that keep us alive?
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The symbolism of this photo is
that the flower, or nature, is being
harmed by the wasteful living
of people in our society (60's movements) |
Fifty years ago, people were really happy about the improvements in technology and new products that were enhancing our lives. People never thought about the environment or how this new human behavior could affect us in the future. It was not until Rachel Carson brought this topic to our society. Carson was a Biologist in the 50's and 60's, she was a good biologist but not a really famous one. Carson became really famous after publishing her books related to the environment. Her most famous book was "Silent Spring", she expressed her concerns about the excessive use of pesticides in the cities, particularly the use of a pesticide called DDT, which was famous during WWII. This chemical was very famous because of its good effects against Malaria, However the excessive use of this chemical was damaging crops and wildlife. Carson wanted people to understand that everything in excess is not good, and that people should work in harmony with the environment and its wildlife. Carson also had people who did not believe her, and they thought she was crazy about her concerns and theories.
Even now days, there are some people that do not worry about the environment, but we are trying to change this. Many new careers and degrees have been created to make sure we take care of our world. In Addition, other degrees have changed their curriculum, including different environmental classes to give different points of view on what to do if you are dealing with the environment.
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| Environmental Engineers doing studies in water |
The people that are in charge of creating new ways to take care of the environment and the human life, are Environmental engineers. They improve the natural environment, to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation, other organisms, and to clean up pollution sites.
Other engineers that are in charge of taking care of the environment are Civil Engineers. Civil engineers are in charge on constructing our new world, but now they also have to make sure this new world will keep providing us a better life. Civil engineering has been changing since the last 20 years, civil engineers have to evaluate and analyze the spaces where they are constructing before they start. It does not matter how big or small the construction is, many contractors and companies have to make an analysis of the possible environmental impacts the construction will face.
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| North Dakota endangered Gray Wolf |
Many states are trying to reinforce the environmental studies for every construction. The Department of Transportation of North Dakota (NDDOT) requires an environmental document for any construction. During the design stage of the project, the engineers are required to study what are the possible impacts they can create during the construction. In North Dakota there is a list of around 11 species listed as threatened or endangered and additional 4 species listed as candidate species. Engineers need to check if any of these species are in the area of construction. In addition, they have to analyze if there are possible wetland impacts in the area. NDDOT also requires engineers to provide erosion control and wetland mitigation if there are possible impacts. Civil engineers will need to provide information to the contractor of how to reduce the impacts to the environment. Many other states are using the same procedure to confront these problems, and this is creating a good and healthy change in our world.
As we can see many people and professionals are working in a healthy environment way. it is really important for us to support and help too. Engineers will be thinking of new ways to take care of the environment, but we also need to contribute to this cause. Now, I hope before you do something (throwing trash on the streets or leave the tap water open), stop and think about How could you affect the environment around you? Even if the impact is really small, we need to stop because what is small now could become a big problem in the future. If we take care of the environment we will have better and healthier life. Caring about other species and green life will save our lives.
References:
- "Why Environmental Engineering is Vital for our future". [accessed 2015 Oct 30]. http://www.environmentalscience.org/environmental-engineering
- North Dakota Game and Fish Department. [accessed 2015 Oct 30]. http://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/fish-wildlife/threatened-and-endangered-species
- What is environmental Engineering? livescience.com. [accessed 2015 Oct 30]. http://www.livescience.com/48390-environmental-engineering.html
- [60's movement] Environmentalism. [accessed 2015 Oct 30]. https://sixties-social-movements-3.wikispaces.com/Environmentalism
