CIEG210 - Quiz 1

Based off lecture objectives in each lecture slideshow. **UN SDGs have their own flashcard set**

Sustainability Definition

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Done through a set of environmental, social, and economic conditions in which all of society has the capacity and opportunity ti maintain and improve its quality of life indefinitely without degrading the quantity, quality, or the availability of environmental, social, and economic resources.

Why is sustainability important for Civil Engineers to consider?

Sustainability relates to the long term cost of infrastructure, Civil engineering have an ethical requirement to build sustainably, public need, and civil engineers have the largest scope of impact on human life compared to all other engineers.

• Failed infrastructure has large financial costs but remember it also has large social impacts.

Definition of Anthropogenic Activity

Actions, processes, or changes in the natural environment that originate from human beings.

Non-sustainable anthropogenic activity on the strictly individual scale:

• Use of public transportation

• Overconsumption related too:

  • Travel

  • Food

  • Clothing/Fast Fashion

Non-sustainable anthropogenic activity from an individual scale and civil engineering scale.

• Water Pollution

• Non-Biodegradable Waste

• Burning Fossil Fuels

• Air pollution

• GHG emissions

• Energy Use

Non-sustainable anthropogenic activity from a strictly civil engineering scale.

• Deforestation / Habitat Destruction

• Non-green and Non-walkable Development

• Inefficient use of land for infrastructure (using more than necessary)

• Over-procurement of natural resources on a large scale

• Hazardous waste dumping

What does GhG stand for?

Greenhouse Gases

Quantification of Sustainability : Earth overshoot day happens in:

Late July or early August each year

To maintain our current global way of life, humanity needs the equivalent of…

1.7 to 1.75 Earths

Which SDG Goals relate most closely to Civil Engineering?

Primary: Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Industry Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

Secondary: Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)

ASCE Motivation is what?

Ethics:

Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism, and ABOVE ALL ELSE protect and advance the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the practice of Civil Engineering.

ASCE Policy 418

The role of the civil engineer in sustainable development:

• Must asses and understand the economic, environmental, and social effects of each project on the communities stakeholder.

• Perform LCA

• reduce use of non-renewable resources

• incorporate resiliency

ASCE Policy 517

Support the implementation of the civil engineering aspects of the UN SDGs

ASCE Policy 360

Civil engineers support:

• Government policies that anticipate and prepare for climate change impacts

• Revise engineering standards and codes to stengthen sustainability and resiliency

• cooperative research among engineers and climate scientists to gain better understanding

• Inform engineers and stakeholders of uncertainty in predictions

• indetify the most critical infrastructure possibly affected by climate change and inform stakeholders.

ASCE Policy 488

Support public and private sector strategies and efforts to reduce GhGs (greenhouse gases).

What are the three pillars of sustainability?

1) Social

2) Economic

3) Environmental

Wicked Problems

• No universal agreement on the problem definition

  • different stakeholder define the problems cause differently.

• No end solution

  • we can only improve or worsen NOT fix

• Problem can change overtime

• No clear stopping rule; ends based on judgement

• High uncertainty of both components and outcomes

• Interconnected with other problems

• Values and goals are NOT always constant for all stakeholders.

Wicked Problem Examples (2)

Homelessness and War

Tradgedy of the Commons

The tendency for individuals to use resources to suit their our best interest regardless if it is of the detriment of society as a whole.

Shifting the Burden

The tendency to rely on quick external solutions rather than more fundamental solutions that are harder to implement.

What does NIMBY stand for?

Not in my backyard

NIMBY Definition

When people support green goals in theory but fight against eco-friendly projects built near their homes.

NIMBY Examples

• Solar and Wind Farms

• Waste and Recycling Plants

• High-Density Transit