Engineering’s Impact on Society

Engineering’s Impact on Society Stanley M. Howard, PhD, PE Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD Acknowledgement Dr. Harold Stern, Professor University of Alabama (formerly) For his original Power Point work on which this presentation is based

Engineers Are Action Oriented Action Means Change and • Different Segments of Society Have Different Goals and Values • Good Intentions Can Produce Unexpected and Unwanted Results • Only Six Percent of the Public Are Scientifically Literate • Actions Have Unforeseen Scientific, Political, and Social Consequences

Actions have Unforeseen Consequences

Actions Have Unforeseen Consequences Consider a New Steel Mill Benefits: Jobs, Steel, Tax Revenues, etc. Costs: Water consumption, Air Quality, Traffic Congestion, Demand on Public Services, etc.

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Unforeseen Consequences Example 1 Original Problem: Soil Erosion Solution: Introduce Kudzu from Japan Unintended Consequence: Overrun with Vines Killing of Other Vegetation Power Lines Shorting Out Etc. Southeastern USA Kudzu Credit: Harold P. E. Stern

Unforeseen Consequences Example 2 Original Problem: Manual Labor Low Productivity Slow Transportation Solution: Industrialization Unintended Consequence: Air Pollution Sweat Shops Urban Problems Santiago Chile Smog Credit: http://www.planetark.org/envpicstory.cfm/newsid/17148

Actions have Unforeseen Consequences Consequences are more likely to be identified when people with varied expertise and perspectives offer input. Number of People of Varied Backgrounds Offering Input Identifying Consequences

When Should Secrecy be Maintained?When is Openness Required? • National Security • Competitive Edge • Streamline Effort • Cut Costs • Save Time • “What They Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Them”

When Could Secrecy Appropriately be Maintained? • National security restricted by legally authorized government oversight • Private activities involving only intellectual property • Product and process development with consequences limited to consumer choice

As a leader you should Develop a set of specific procedures to • Inform society of the tradeoffs • Gain society’s prior approval • Limit unintended consequences *

When Should the Public be Informed? Inform the public whenever society could be affected by the proposed project except in cases of simple consumer options or national security authorized by the legally empowered governmental agency.

Procedures to Limit Unintended Consequences and Gain Public Consent • Study similar problems and previous solutions to determine their societal impact • Identify technological trends associated with the proposed solution • Project possible societal impacts of these trends to limit unintended consequences • Research all laws and regulations that may exist concerning a proposed solution • Determine the appropriate ways to inform society and achieve an informed consensus *

Resources Available • Prior projects • Codes and regulations • Editorials • Case studies *

Resources Available to Identify Trends • Codes • Phased Implementation of Laws • World Initiatives • Professional Societies *

Resources Available to Research Laws and Regulations • Governmental Agencies • Other Designers • Patents • Professional Societies/Associates/Groups *

Resources Available to Achieve an Informed Consensus • Public Meetings • Elections • Environmental Impact Report (EIR) • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) *

Engineering’s Impact on Society Seek Input Embrace the Regulatory Environment as an Valuable Operating Template Never Violate the Public Good Use Secrecy only for intellectual rights, simple market-related activities, or government authorized activity Conclusion

Profession Engineering Canon of Ethics • I. Fundamental CanonsEngineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: • Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. • Perform services only in areas of their competence. • Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. • Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. • Avoid deceptive acts. • Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession. • II. Rules of Practice • - - -

Group Exercise - Analysis A reporter selected by each group will present their analysis • Analyze placement of widespread windmill farms in western South Dakota • Analyze the positives and negatives and the intended and unintended consequences • Propose societal impact management methods

Report Format • Benefits • Negatives • Consequences Likely Unforeseen by Many • Procedures

Analysis (cont’d) • Benefits Clean and Cheap Renewable Power, Small Land Requirements, Economic Stimulation and Options, Low Impact • Negatives Periodic, No on-demand Supply, Noisy, New Power Grid Needed, Aesthetics, Bird Strikes, Maintenance, Large Land Requirements, More Activity Note: The contradictory items offered by a group of engineers. Imagine the contradictions had the group been more diverse. This illustrates the role of values and intangibles.

Analysis (cont’d) Possible Unintended Consequences Need more infrastructure Adverse affect on current energy-related industry Displacement of Agri-business Health effects Electromagnetic induced cancers Neurotic cows Communication disruption Topsoil loss Ambience disruption Wage/living issues

Analysis (cont’d) Procedures Get more info from other experts Focus groups, previous projects Public hearings Government regulations Professional standards

Engineering’s Impact on Society