Engineers must act on global warming

I believe there is sufficient evidence to point to a global increase in CO2 levels. What is not clear is what is causing it.

One issue is a relatively small global increase could trigger much bigger increases from the ground reservoirs of CO2, and despite the ability of plants to absorb more of the gas as concentrations rise, which agriculturalists are now using to increase yields, the net results and heat rise could be catastrophic as the ice caps melt.

So an increase in levels caused by mankind may have a disproportionate effect on the atmosphere and global climate. It becomes clear that forecast models are too simple to analyse all the parameters, and the earth is more complicated than we can currently model. If we can’t get the weather forecast right beyond a few days, how can we possibly assimilate what will happen in five, 10, or 50 years’ time?

Simply looking around our urbanised landscape leads me to the inescapable truth that mankind must be having an effect on the global atmosphere and climate, and as such we should reduce our impact. This should include not only energy consumption and overall carbon usage, but also light pollution and water management as well – a total environment impact strategy.

When average rainfall in the UK causes rivers to flood, one has to question why we do not impose natural buffers in modern civil and construction developments. Or seeing the glow of a town from afar, why we do not question why we insist on illuminating clouds?

Arguably the major reason for reductions in our reliance on fossil-based fuels is commercial. In future, do we want to be held to ransom by the countries that have these resources? They are often not in the most stable economies and the resource is not unlimited. Simple Keynsian economics of demand and supply dictate pricing will only go up.

Whichever argument you choose to side with, the outcome is the same: we need to reduce our environmental impact to zero.

Commercially, politically, and ecologically there is now no excuse for ignoring the issues, and as engineers in the built environment it is in our gift to raise the awareness and usage of sustainable technologies. If we want to bequeath anything to the future we need to act resolutely, now, and for the long term.