Engineering and The
Environment
JABATAN PENGURUSAN DAN TEKNOLOGI,
FAKULTI PENGURUSAN TEKNOLOGI
UTHM.
ALINA SHAMSUDDIN (PhD)
Objectives
To provide an overview of science, technology and
the environment.
GAIA Theory: The Macro Organism
Begun in 1789
Hypothesis:
Life regulates the climate and the compositions of the
atmosphere at an optimum itself”
The whole system of life and its material environment is self
regulating at a state comfortable for the organisms
Theory:
The earth atmosphere oceans, climate are regulated and
maintained by the process itself, in balance, which makes earth
pleasant and hospitable to life.
Discussions
If you were the current PM of Malaysia, what are the
activities and policies to enhance IP in Malaysia
Discuss main objectives for deciding on sustainable
development
Balancing Development and Conservation
In today’s economics, the environmental costs are not
factored in economics decision making; thus people are
predisposed to become selfish and materialistics.
Human activities:
The consumption of on-renewable energy; fossil fuels, minerals
The consumption of renewable energy but much factor than the
renew rate, water, forest, flora and fauna.
Polluting the environment over the ability of the earth to absorb,
carbon dioxide
Overpopulation, causing over consumption and over wastage, which
will increase the impact/waste of the above 3 activities.
Destruction of the environment in developing
nation
Discussion topic:
‘is it fare for the developed nations to ‘advise’ the developing
nations to conserve the environment?
Environmental issues
Air Pollution
2 main categories:
Primary-are harmful chemicals, enter directly into the atmosphere
Secondary-harmful chemicals, form from other substances that
have been released into the atmosphere.
Acid Rain
Visual Air Pollution
UV radiation
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)
Indoor Air Pollution
Chemical Pollution
Climate change
Habitats and Land
Exploitation of the resources
Population
Overpopulation
Overconsumption
Waste disposal
The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not for
everyone’s greed-Ghandi
High-Tech Pollution Risks
Chemical weapons
Nuclear energy
Nuclear waste
Biological weapon
Radiological weapon
United nations environment Program (UNEP)
Mission:
To provide leadership and to encourage partnership in caring
for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling
natons and people to improve their quality of life without
comprising that of future generations
Three categories:
Sustainable management and use of natural resources
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Globalization of the economy and the environment
[Link]
Discussions
Discuss the KEY contents of these summits:
The earth summit ([Link]
The earth summit+
The Johannesburg Summit (
[Link]
International conventions on the environment
The Kyoto Protocol (
[Link]
ISO 14000
National Environmental Policy
Objectives:
A clean safe, healthy and productive environment for present
and future generations
Conservation of the country’s unique and diverse cultural and
natural heritage with effective participation by all sectors of
society
Sustainable lifestyles and patterns of consumption and
production
National Environmental Policy
8 principles:
Stewardship of the environment
Conservation of nature’s vitality and diversity
Continuous improvement in the quality
Sustainable use of natural resources
Integrated Decision making
Role of the private sector
Commitment and accountability
Active participation in the international community
Seven green Strategies
Education and Awareness
Effective Management of Natural Resources and
Environment
Integrated Development Planning and Implementation
Prevention and Control of pollution and Environmental
Degradation
Strengthening and Administrative and Institutional
mechanisms
Proactive Approach to Regional Global Environmental
Issues
Formulation and Implementation of Action Plans
Environmental Organizations in Malaysia
MOSTE
Department of Environment (DOE)
Non Government Organizations (NGO)
MSC Government Guidelines
The Bakun Hydroelectric Project (BHEP)
Science and Technology in Environment
Review Questions
What is the importance of balancing development
and conservation. Discuss your thought.
Give some ideas of how we as consumer could reduce
the municipal solid waste.
What are the future for Industrial ecology? What are
the roles of engineers in that?