Reader Response Draft 3

In “Why the Climate Change Fight Needs Engineers”, Shah (2015) stresses the importance of engineering talents required to mend the future climate change problem. The writer states how experts have highlighted the key to solve sustainability challenges in Singapore and Asia Pacific through engineering expertise. She also discusses the realisation of Singapore government bodies in working towards being “low carbon economy” due to constant experiences with extreme changing weather patterns. Shah additionally introduces the Engineers Progression Pathway Programme initiated by Singapore to further bring out the capabilities of its engineers’ professional and technical skills. Such a programme helps elevate the engineering field standards, providing career development in the long-term and coaching leadership aptitude of senior engineers. The examples show that engineering has been given the forefront role in tackling climate change as many opportunities are given to engineers in transitioning cities to be more sustainable and economic. While Shah’s article has put a spotlight on the importance of the role of engineering, I strongly believe that she could expand the discussion more with other stakeholders being as important as engineers in countering future sustainability issues.

It is true that engineering has a significant influence in tackling environmental concerns. Throughout the history of the profession, it has developed countless helpful advancements in human ways of life. It could further provide the solutions to every day urban living challenges. We can view climate change as an alarming issue affecting humankind in this 21^st century. Even Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo has “highlighted the role of engineers and engineering in improving humanity’s quality of life” (Cheam, 2013). During the World Engineers Summit 2013, a discussion initiated by Singapore was held to give prominent emphasis on engineers working together and finding solutions for climate change. This shows how the engineering profession is vividly stressed, especially in Asian countries like Singapore, to overcome the problem of the altering climate. Thus, Shah’s statement on the need of engineers and its profession to fight climate change is further supported.

However, Shah shows a bias by not considering any other stakeholders as being important in the effort to fight climate change. The best way to address climate change is to bring together as many interested professionals with different specializations as possible to work together in tackling a common problem. Other examples of participants would be politicians, scientists and civil society.

Firstly, politicians can persuade the people to support environmentally friendly measures by addressing how their personal concerns could be link with an action to help overcome environmental issues (Jex, 2015). This would be a simpler method for politicians to encourage more people in combating climate change than trying to alter their standpoint on matters regarding the environment. Secondly, in the effort to stop global fossil fuel usage, scientists needs to discover a new way to make renewable sources much cheaper than the former primary source of energy. As a result, scientists now have to change their priority in finding new economical way for clean energy to be produce, store and distributed (Mohdin, 2015). Lastly, organising of civil society networks have been proven to produce positive outcome during United Nation negotiations located at Copenhagen in 2009 (Reid, 2012). Such networks has the ability to shift government policy, being vocal, aiding to raise awareness within the civil society as well as connecting local level development problems with environment issues. Thus civil society networks is an important platform in advocating common issues like climate change.

There isn’t only a single solution in countering the environmental issues. Even Lohani (citied in Chua, June 2015), proposes an awareness of a joint effort with “engineers, scientists and decision-makers” to create a habitable city. This ultimately shows how one-sided the writer was by focusing only on the importance of engineers.

A more complete approach could be taken in terms of parties involved in finding ways to address climate change. Chua (July 2015) writes that Teo states that the crucial role to transform Singapore and improve its citizen’s living standards is given by people who have engineering profession. Moreover, to be a competent ‘green intelligent city’ banking on “science and technology, research and development, as well as in policies and system integration” would be the most of Singapore’s concerns of climate challenges. Therefore, this brings about a more informative way of discussing an issue. Not only does it not be dependent on a single focus but also sees the solution in an all rounded perspectives.

In general, Shah did an exceptionally great effort in directing the readers on the main focus of engineering. This is because it is true that to combat the challenges of climate change, engineers are the most sort after as they have the key capabilities and skills to think of solutions about the issue. It is however a let-down that she did not allow other possibilities the same amount of consideration, if not more, than just focuses on the engineers and its profession. Nevertheless, this article has aided me to have a wider perspective on the environmental concerns and it was a pleasure to read.

(844 words)

References:

Cheam, J. (2013, September 11). Engineering in the Spotlight at Singapore Summits. The Eco-Business. Retrieve from: http://www.eco-business.com/news/engineering-spotlight-singapore-summits/

Chua, J. (2015, June 15). Cities: Asia’s Main Battleground for Climate Change. The Eco-business. Retrieve from: http://www.eco-business.com/news/cities-asias-main-battleground-for-climate-change/

Chua, J. (2015, July 28). Engineering Plays Crucial Role in Climate Change. The Eco-Business. Retrieve from: http://www.eco-business.com/news/engineering-plays-crucial-role-in-climate-change/

Jex, C. (2015, October 6). This is How We Motivate People to Tackle Climate Change. The Science Nordic. Retrieve from: http://sciencenordic.com/how-we-motivate-people-tackle-climate-change

Mohdin, A. (2015, June 2). Experts Call for Apollo-Like Commitment To Tackle Climate Change. The IFL Science. Retrieve from: http://www.iflscience.com/environment/experts-call-apollo-commitment-tackle-climate-change

Reid, H. (2012, November 26). People Power Critical for Tackling Climate Change. The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). Retrieve from: http://www.iied.org/people-power-critical-for-tackling-climate-change

Shah, V. (2015, June 8). Why the Climate Fight Needs Engineers. The Eco-Business. Retrieve from: http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-the-climate-fight-needs-engineers/

posted: 22/10/2015 (6:59AM)

edited: 22/10/2015 (4:17PM)