A Vision of a More Sustainable World

Sustainability:
the capacity of the earth’s natural systems and
human cultural systems to survive, flourish, and
adapt to changing environmental conditions into
the very long-term future
A Vision of a More Sustainable World
Sustainability:
the capacity of the earth’s natural systems and
human cultural systems to survive, flourish, and
adapt into the very long-term future

Requires:
A transition in human attitudes toward the
environment, and a shift in behavior, can lead to
a much better future for the planet in the future
 Sustainable Development

Our Common Future (WCED, 1987 p. 41)

Sustainable development is development that

meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. It contains within it two key
concepts: (1) the concept of “needs”, in particular
the essential needs of the world's poor, to which
overriding priority should be given; (2) the idea of
limitations imposed by the state of technology and
social organization on the environment's ability to
meet present and future needs.
 What is Sustainability Design
and Engineering and its role in
Sustainability Revolution?

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 Readings from
ETF- Engineering the Future

What’s the story?

Why is it relevant to sustainability?

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 Sustainable Design

Sustainable design is the way of doing things or

making things such that the result of the design
meets the three pillars of sustainability – it should
NOT cause irreversible change to the environment
– locally and globally, should be functional,
practical, and economically viable, and should
benefit society. Sustainable design uses a holistic
approach that optimizes the overall system
performance, not just the product or service itself.
 Design for Sustainability (D4S)

• Basic D4S techniques for products and

processes include
– increasing energy efficiency,
– using recycled materials,
– designing for recyclability,
– reducing toxic materials,
– extending product life, and
– providing services in new ways.
• Life cycle analysis and supply chain
management are more precise tools for
evaluating material flows and environmental
impacts in a product's life cycle, and can help
designers identify additional improvements.
Principles of Sustainability Design

1. Holistic approach to environmental,

social, and economic issues
2. Minimize environmental impacts
(pollution, waste, disruption, etc.)
3. Use renewable energy and resources
efficiently
4. Design for reuse, recycling, and
emotionally and functionally durability
 Sustainable Engineering

Engineering forms an interface between the

design (i.e., the idea how to provide a sustainable
solution to a technical problem) and
Implementation and production.

Sustainable engineering is the process of using

resources in a way that does NOT compromise the
environment or deplete the materials for future
generations. Sustainable engineering requires an
interdisciplinary approach in all aspects of
engineering. All engineering fields should
incorporate sustainability into their practice in order
to improve the quality of life for all.
 Sustainable Engineering

The overarching goal is to generate a balanced

solution to any engineering problem.
Sustainable Engineering
Sustainability Hierarchy
Grand Engineering Challenges

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Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• In the year 2000, the United Nations specified
eight Millennium Development Goal to address
prior to the year 2015.
• Focused on increasing the standard of living for
the world's existing population and also for
future generations as the world population
continues to grow.
• In 1990, nearly half of the population in the
developing regions lived on less than $1.25 a day.
This rate dropped to 14 per cent in 2015.

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Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
• Achieve universal primary education.
• Promote gender equality and empower women.
• Reduce childhood mortality.
• Improve maternal health.
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
• Ensure environmental sustainability.
• Develop a global partnership for development.

In which of the MDGs do

engineers have a role to play?
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Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

A 15-year plan with 8 MDG – 2000

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 17 Sustainability Development Goals
(SDG)

A 15-year plan to go beyond the previous 15-plan -

2015