February Issue, 2008, Vol 10
View Videos  : Role of engineering in the 21st century
At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between engineering and  global humanism. Global humanism is based on the principle that regardless of political affiliation, religion or culture it is the responsibility of every human being to diminish human suffering to the best of their abilities. Since engineering is so essential to all aspects of modern life, mechanical engineering and global humanism make a powerful and effective combination. The pervasiveness of mechanical engineering makes it comparatively easy to create a globally responsible career in almost any area. Indeed, many engineers already serve their community through their profession. So how do you go about integrating the principles of global humanism with your career? And how can you enhance your career by doing so?
ASME’s strategic partnerships with groups such as Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) are aimed at providing our members with direct access to alternative volunteer opportunities. Opportunities that not only allow one to be an advocate for mechanical engineering, but also to make a  real impact on the world. Pursuing a globally responsible engineering career will not only open up opportunities, it can save lives and make the world a better place for us all. By bringing the concepts of global humanitarianism together with engineering you will become part of a profession finding innovative, sustainable and appropriate solutions for many of the problems facing the planet. Your knowledge, creativity, and fresh perspective will not only revolutionize the field of mechanical engineering, they will change the world.
The present and near future hold a myriad of challenges, and the world is desperately in need of creative engineering solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. The traditional engineering model is based around labor, instead of resource, productivity. This has resulted in massive energy loses in many existing systems. For example, in the average automobile 80% to 85% of the energy in the gasoline is lost before it even gets to the wheels. This is a surprising number, considering the rapid depletion of the world’s oil reserves. Sustaining our diminishing natural resources requires “big picture” solutions, not short term fixes 1.
The challenge facing engineers today is coming up with design solutions with multiple benefits for the whole system, instead of single benefits for one component. Luckily, this gives engineers the opportunity to unleash their entrepreneurial spirit, develop exciting new technologies, and work in dynamic multidisciplinary teams. It is of paramount importance that engineering solutions reflect the interconnectedness of the whole system. Attacking the problem of depleted natural resources is an excellent example of the new direction engineering must take 2.
The ineffective use of natural resources hits the poorest the fastest and hardest. Consider the effect of standard irrigation systems that, according to ASME’s Strategic Management Sector,allow an average of 80% of the water to evaporate or leak away before it can be used 3. Instead of fostering economic growth and tapping into the buying potential of the developing world, the poorest are too often written off. The need for affordable and basic necessities: accessible energy, clean water, sanitation, food, medical care and education prevent billions of people from being able to improve their lives. Engineering has the potential to provide new and innovative solutions to these problems that will have far reaching implications.
Creating culturally appropriate engineering solutions for developing communities is one of the most emotionally fulfilling applications of humanitarian engineering. Finding solutions to these problems will not only challenge one’s creativity, it will train you to think about the entire system and prepare you for the future of engineering. As early career engineers, you have the chance to get in on the ground floor of the new engineering. So where are we going to start?
Once you start looking at the whole system, the next step is to determine what you want to do. This might take the form of where you look for your next job, how you solve design problems, or what you do with your free time. Some good ways to start getting involved with humanitarian engineering are to; network  with others, affiliate yourself with socially-minded organizations, such as Girl/Boy Scouts, Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS), FIRST, EWB-USA, and volunteer. Volunteering can take many forms. The important thing is to follow your passion – if you care you can inspire others. A good way to start is to join an organization you identify with; a good fit is key. Become a mentor at your area high-school, college, or in your workplace; sign up on ASME’s E-Mentor web site. Inspire others with your love of and commitment to responsible, innovative mechanical engineering. Not only will you be able to motivate another engineer, the fresh perspective gained by teaching can be invaluable to your own development in the field. In addition, by reaching out to your community, you will be helping nurture the future of engineering in yourself and others.
There are many organizations that focus on humanitarian engineering, and there are many different areas to investigate. Public policy is one area where mechanical engineers can provide an invaluable service to  governing bodies, especially in the US. Technology pervades modern life, and as such it is a part of many of the questions and problems legislators face. As Dr. Bill Jones, Consulting Engineer & President, J. William Jones Consulting Engineers noted in his speech at the ASME 2007 Congress, very few politicians have technical backgrounds. No matter what one’s political views, no one wants the people in charge of making extremely important decisions about technological development, application and ethics to be in the dark. Everyone benefits from an intelligent informed debate, it is the cornerstone of the democratic system. Engineers have the ability to help the democratic process by getting involved with campaigns, such as ASME’s “Engineering the Greater Good”, that supports fellowship programs providing non-biased technical advice to government, by sending engineers to serve as advisors to politicians in Washington D.C. for one year.
 A thriving culture of globally conscience sustainable engineering has the capacity to heal communities and help the world meet the challenges of the future. No organization represents these goals more than EWB-USA. The organization’s founder, Dr. Bernard Amadei, was recently awarded ASME and ASCEs joint Hoover Award in recognition of his service to humanity. EWB-USA’s goal is to promote responsible, sustainable, culturally appropriate engineering solutions for developing communities. As Dr. Amadei puts it, “Engineering innovation and research…as we enter the first half of the 21st century is called to address the needs of the most destitute people on the planet and also the needs of an exponentially growing population. This must be done while preserving biological and cultural diversity.” Through EWB-USA you can volunteer to address community-specific engineering needs in developing communities around the world. These projects may not have the glitzy allure of high-tech research, but they are innovative and exciting in many other ways. Whether one volunteers with EWB-USA or not, one may use their example to change the way one thinks about designing technology, developing sustainable products and services, and creating environmentally friendly engineering solutions. High-tech or classic, we have the ability to revolutionize the world in which we live, and bring the gifts of clean water, sanitation, transport, sustainable development, energy, and a higher standard of living to billions.
To hear Dr. Amadei’s speech on the role of engineering in the 21st century click on the video links below:
To check out details on the upcoming EWB-USA International Conference click here.
The challenges that face our world are staggering. As individuals, we may feel nothing we can do will help. Fortunately, mechanical engineering is one of the professions capable of effecting the greatest concrete change in quality of life for the most people. The world needs the best minds in engineering to find fresh answers to the seething multitude of problems confronting humanity. Seize the chance to be on the cutting edge of the new globally conscience engineering by changing the way you look at your career and the world we all share!
1“Six Strategic Issues shaping the Global Future of Mechanical Engineering,” Institute for Alternative Futures, Strategic Management Sector, June 30, 2005. p. 15
2 Ibid, p. 15-16
3 Ibid, p. 15 |
