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Limits to Technology

Limits to Technology. Resource and Environmental Management Simon Fraser University October 27 th , 2014. Who We Are. Bret Shandro BSc (Civil Engineering), U of A Marina Steffensen BSc (Honours, Environmental Science); Carleton University. Outline.

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Limits to Technology

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  1. Limits to Technology Resource and Environmental Management Simon Fraser University October 27th, 2014

  2. Who We Are Bret Shandro • BSc (Civil Engineering), U of A Marina Steffensen • BSc (Honours, Environmental Science); Carleton University

  3. Outline There are problems that technology can’t independently solve • Population • Resources • Ecosystem Services and Food Security • Pollution There are tools that can help us head in the right direction The future isn’t bleak, and you are a part of the solution • Adapting to the Future • Role of Engineering Science

  4. There are problems that technology can’t independently solve.

  5. Jason Pontin – Can technology solve our big problems? • http://www.ted.com/talks/jason_pontin_can_technology_solve_our_big_problems?language=en

  6. Population There are problems that technology can’t independently solve.

  7. The Demographic Transition Model Graph from University of Wisconsin

  8. Ecological Footprints

  9. Resources There are problems that technology can’t independently solve.

  10. Photo from Lee Voisin

  11. Ecosystem Services and Population Growth • Ecosystem Services: the benefits people obtain from the functions of ecosystems; this includes provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services. • “The degradation of ecosystem services could grow significantly worse during the first half of this century and is a barrier to achieving the MDGs” (MEA)

  12. Climate Change and Food Security in BC • In 2012, drought and high temperatures in the American mid-west reduced corn and maize crop production. • The energy requirement to produce one calorie of food varies between three calories for plant foods to 35 calories for beef production. This energy balance is not sustainable in the long term. • Due to poor practices across the entire food supply chain, 30-50% of all food produced is wasted.

  13. Pollution There are problems that technology can’t independently solve.

  14. City Pollutants Source Sumgayit, Azerbaijan Organic chemicals, oil, heavy metals Petrochemicals, industrial complexes Linfen, China Fly-ash, CO, NOx, SO2, VOCs, As, Pb Automobiles, industrial emission Tianying, China Lead and heavy metals Mining and processing Sukinda, India Hexavalent chromium and other metals Chromite mines and processing Vapi, India Chemicals and heavy metals Industrial estates La Oroya, Peru Lead, copper, zinc, and SO2 Heavy metal mining and processing Dzerzhinsk, Russia Chemicals and toxic byproducts – Sarin, VX gas, etc.; lead, phenols Cold War-era chemical weapons manufacturing Norilsk, Russia Particulates, SO2, heavy metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, selenium), phenols, hydrogen sulfide Major nickel and related metals mining and processing Chernobyl, Ukraine Radioactive dust incl. uranium, plutonium, cesium-137, strontium, and other metals Meltdown of reactor core, 1986 Kabwe, Zambia Lead, cadmium Lead mining and processing World’s Most Polluted Places Source: Blacksmith, 2007

  15. World’s Most Polluted Places FACTORS • No envt’l mgmt plans • No regulations • Illegal operation • Poor technology • Accidents, Leaks • Indiscriminate emissions and dumping EFFECTS • Cancer • Skin illnesses • Respiratory disease • Infertility • Birth defects • Pregnancy complications • Tuberculosis Source: Blacksmith, 2007

  16. Common Trend Badthing Long ago Now Time

  17. There are tools that can help us head in the right direction.

  18. Carbon Capture Story Hells No • Capture CO2 from Stack • $0 • Must work, low risk of failure • Don’t cause any other problems • Need it now • Has to be safe and legal ????, now what?

  19. Carbon Capture and Storage • Worlds first Carbon Capture Coal Plant • $1.4-billion Boundary Dam project represents a major milestone in the quest for “environmentally sustainable coal power” October 2014

  20. Video: Renewable Energy Race • US government, renewable energy • Proposed solution requires collaboration between government and technology https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_granholm_a_clean_energy_proposal_race_to_the_top?language=en

  21. Key Points

  22. The future isn’t bleak, and you are a part of the solution.

  23. Ian Goldin– Navigating our global future • http://www.ted.com/talks/ian_goldin_navigating_our_global_future?language=en

  24. Looking to the Future • Ecosystem services are declining globally • Uncertainty • One earth, one chance • Techno-optimists: like leaping off the CN Tower and hoping to invent a parachute before hitting the ground • LOW CONSUMPTION SUSTAINABLE VISION

  25. What is the role of engineering science?

  26. Engineer definition: Derived from Latin root ingenerare, meaning "to create".

  27. What is taking us into the future? • Sustainable cities • Sustainable communities • Carbon neutral holidays and conferences • REDUCE, Reuse, Recycle • Natural products/packaging • Sustainability courses and degrees • LEED certification • Off the grid living (alternate energy, water systems, etc.)

  28. Metro Vancouver Sustainability Framework – Regional Vision www.metrovancouver.org“Sustainable Region Initiative, 2002-2011: A Road Map to Sustainability”

  29. What is the role of engineering science?

  30. What should you do? • Be part of the solution not part of the problem! • Great opportunity • Properly value the environment – ecosystem services • Stay informed and up to date • Be multidisciplinary - different perspectives • Take courses outside your discipline (Business, Journalism, REM, Art, anything!) • Get involved in extra curricular • Collaborate! Collaborate! Collaborate! • Be positive 

  31. Adjacent possibilities • Connecting innovators in energy sector with artists to display creative climate solutions • http://www.adjacentpossibilities.org/#adjacent • http://thestarfish.ca/home/2014/10/adjacent-possibilities

  32. REM Courses open to Undergrads • REM 100 – Global Change • This course provides students with an overview of global environmental change and its causes from a social science perspective, historically and at the present time. • REM 200 (Spring) – Introduction to Resource and Environmental Management • This course explores the natural and social science foundations of resource and environmental management and demonstrates how that knowledge can be used in environmental decision-making. • 3rd and 4th year courses • REM 311 (Spring) - Applied Ecology and Sustainable Environments • REM 321 (Fall) – Ecological Economics • REM 350 (Spring) – Sustainable Energy and Materials Management • REM 356 (Fall) – Institutional Arrangements for Sustainable Environmental Management • And other 4th year project courses

  33. Thank You

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