ENVE_200_-_Overview_of_Environmental_Issues_and_Engineering_2023
UNIT 1: OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND ENGINEERING
1. Introduction
UBC Environmental Engineering ENVE 200 course overview covering environmental issues and engineering concepts.
Focus of Weeks 1 & 2.
2. Course Outline
Environmental Issues Examples: Discuss different environmental issues affecting societies.
Role of Environmental Engineers: Exploring what environmental engineers do and their significance.
Specific Areas of Focus: Background on specific areas such as water, air, waste, and energy management.
Future Course Pathways: Upcoming design-related courses relevant to the field.
3. Environmental Issues - Examples
Fresh Water Quality
Highlighting the ongoing water quality crisis in Neskantaga First Nation with over 10,000 days under a drinking water advisory. (Source: CBC News)
Fresh Water Scarcity
Examination of cities facing imminent fresh water scarcity, such as Las Vegas, New Mexico, where officials are scrambling for alternative water sources. (Source: CNN)
Climate Change Effects
Potential impacts illustrated through various natural disasters including wildfires and floods as reported by The Washington Post.
Contamination from Spills
Documenting groundwater contamination following a fuel oil spill in Peterborough, Ontario. (Source: ThePeterboroughExaminer)
Waste Contamination
Addressing the issue of decades of arsenic poisoning caused by the Giant Mine impacting the Dene First Nation land. (Source: Capital Current)
4. Class Activities
Group discussion on environmental-related news to foster engagement and sharing of ideas among classmates.
5. Environmental Engineering Disciplines
Core Areas:
Water management
Air quality management
Solid waste management
Environmental impact assessments
Pollution control and remediation
Energy preservation
Environmental sustainability
Recycling
Involvement with regulations and guidelines pertaining to environmental stewardship and sustainable development goals.
6. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Objective: Seventeen goals aimed at transforming our world by addressing various areas such as:
No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Well-Being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Climate Action
Life Below Water and On Land
Partnerships for Goals
7. Federal Regulators in Canada
Overview of key federal regulatory bodies impacting environmental engineering such as:
Canada Energy Regulator
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Natural Resources Canada
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
8. Provincial Regulators (BC)
Focus on specific BC provincial regulators including:
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development (FLNRORD)
BC Oil and Gas Commission (BC OGC)
9. Environmental Regulations
Federal Regulations
Major Regulatory Bodies and Resources:
Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Natural Resources Canada.
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Canada Energy Regulator.
Provincial Regulations
Key Areas: Access to provincial regulations and general environmental management resources in BC.
10. Role of Environmental Engineers
Core Responsibilities:
Design systems to address environmental issues (both prevention and remediation).
Optimize systems to mitigate environmental impacts.
Measure, monitor, and control environmental systems.
Collaborate with regulatory bodies to develop and enforce environmental regulations.
Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with regulations.
11. Water Management
Types of Water:
Freshwater - essential for human use.
Saltwater - unsuitable for drinking or irrigation.
12. Water Flowchart
Components of the Water Cycle in Management:
Source Water Extraction, Treatment, Distribution, Wastewater Management, and Recycled Water.
13. Industrial Water Intake
Distribution of Water Usage in Industries: Percentage of water intake by various sectors such as thermal-electric producers, manufacturing, and mining (2011 data).
14. Air Quality
Defining Air Pollution: Release of pollutants detrimental to health and environment, primarily from energy generation and fossil fuel combustion.
Sources of Air Pollution: Factors influencing pollution levels include emissions, location, and temperature.
15. Air Pollutants
Types of Pollutants:
Lead
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Sulfur oxides (SOx)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Particulate matter (PM)
Ozone
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Biological pollutants (mold, pollen)
16. Air Quality Control
Strategies for Control:
Source prevention
Control and treatment methods (scrubbers, filters)
Economic incentives for pollution reduction efforts.
17. Waste Management
Categories of Waste
Types:
Solid waste
Wastewater
Air emissions
Additional categorizations based on source and type.
Disposal Methods in History
Historical Context: Evolution of waste disposal methods including burying and burning waste, reflecting changes in consumer practices over the last century.
Solid Waste Handling
Current Methods:
Landfill usage
Incineration with energy recovery capabilities.
Waste diversion through recycling and composting.
Hazardous waste disposal.
18. Energy Consumption
Energy Use Sectors
Breakdown of major energy consuming sectors globally (data from IEA).
Electricity Generation Sources
Types of Generation:
Hydroelectric
Fossil fuels
Nuclear
Non-hydro renewables (wind, biomass, solar)
19. Discussion Topics
Impact of the shift to electric cars and lithium mining on the environment.
Suggested resources for exploration of lithium extraction processes.
20. Future Relevant Courses
Introduction to upcoming courses like:
ENVE 202: Environmental Engineering Science
ENVE 301: Intermediate Design Project
ENVE 401: Capstone Design Project
21. Resources
Web Links: For further exploration on topics discussed, students can access resources relevant to SDGs, water management, air pollution, waste management, energy use, and overall environmental regulations.