Three ways modern engineering could help save the world

RE: Three ways modern engineering could help save the world

Instructorman — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 16:48:30 GMT

Engineering alone is unlikely to save the world.

No matter how elegant a solution is, it still has to be accepted and embraced by the average citizen. If the average citizen cannot be convinced that an engineered solution allows them to carry on their existence without disagreeable disruption, they will not adopt the technology. An alternative to voluntary adoption of new technology is enforced adoption, but I don't see that approach working well in modern societies.

Perhaps soon we will witness another natural experiment in rapid technological change unfold as transportation evolves. Will autonomous vehicles be readily adopted? Will the concept of car ownership give way to a shared transport-as-service model? Will the internal combustion engine fade into obscurity to be replaced with electric engines, fuel cell engines, or whatever else may emerge? Will urban densification and smart city technology outpace other developments to create a walking society?

So many intriguing possibilities, and I doubt any single solution will dominate the change process. Every innovation has a chance I think, but chance may play a significant role in the success or abandonment of any innovation, no matter how clever it may be.

RE: Three ways modern engineering could help save the world

DAB — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:46:24 GMT

First, creating clean water is pretty easy using a rudimentary solar still.

I am aghast that every house does not use one.

Planting trees on the roofs of all large buildings and using life grass or plants on the roofs of all houses would greatly clean the air naturally.

We could easily use dirigibles for transportation if people did not need to go as fast as modern aircraft.

Everything that you consider bad has solutions, but politicians are unwilling to do what makes sense because it takes too long to show progress.

If you took the money being wasted on carbon capture initiatives, you could solve all of these problems in short order.

DAB

RE: Three ways modern engineering could help save the world

rscasny — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:34:34 GMT

Irrigation and wastewater treatment are two ways that I can think of how engineering improves the world.

Irrigation

The UN says irrigation improves crop yields substantially. Lots of places in the developing world need irrigation for food production. Read more here.

Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment isn't what I would call the hot topic of environmental sustainability, but in the US, it makes a major impact in many communities. It not only saves water, it removes toxins from the water so people don't get those terrible diseases like dysentery, among others. Read more here.