As suggested in Shah’s (2015) article, “Why the climate fight needs engineers”, engineers are needed to achieve the goal of “zero-waste nation” established by the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB). Kuttan, director and country manager of the Clean Technology Centre, highlighted that Singapore is one of the world’s “highest carbon emissions per capita”. The author implied that it is adversely causing severe climate change, such as “high temperature and droughts”. Similarly, he also expressed a belief that engineers equipped with the fundamental knowledge of sustainable energy are needed to counter the current concern. In the effort to support this demand, Singapore has initiated a scheme to groom all levels of engineers, so as to address challenges caused by climate change. I agree with the author that engineers are indeed crucial in combating the unfavorable climate change. Because engineers play a major role in the aspect of coming up with new technologies and innovations for sustainability, and only engineers are able to maintain those technologies. In addition to the article, the importance of engineers in the field of sustainability will be further elaborated.
Firstly, the author pointed out that Kuttan mentioned that Singapore is one of the highest carbon emissions per capita, which was supported by CNN Travel (2012), where Singapore was found to have the “largest carbon footprint per head” in the Asia-Pacific region. According to the National Climate Change Secretariat (2015), due to Singapore’s humid climate, air-conditioners are widely used in the effort to cool our homes and environment, leading to the rise in Singapore’s energy demands, resulting in “higher domestic carbon emissions”. Furthermore, with higher carbon emission, as mentioned in Kotwani’s (2015) article, average temperature would exceed 34°C if no actions were taken to counter the emission.
Facing such climate change, engineers are required to tackle these concerns. As mentioned in Chua’s (2015) article, engineers are involved in the leading process of innovation, sustaining these creations, and operating these technologies. With the help of engineers of different forte, “materials, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers” could work together in reducing cost, and enhancing the performance of various renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic.
Engineers are also required to “work with economists and policy analysts”, to help with “policies and behavioural change programmes”, in promoting energy conservation and efficiency. Noted by Teo Chee Hean, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, in the growth of sustainability, experts are needed to design and construct “infrastructure projects, enhancing cities’ resilience and adaptation to the effects of climate change”.
As such, Singapore has newly initiated a scheme to groom 3 various levels of engineers, as mentioned in Shah’s article, to equip them with the needed knowledge to counter these challenges. Hence, skilled engineers who are able to excel in this field are crucial, as it is equally essential for them to understand the concerns that Singaporeans are facing. Equipped with relevant skills, they would be able to assist in areas such as green building technologies and energy renewing, in the effort to achieve the goal of being a zero-waste nation (Chua, 2015).
In conclusion, continuous learning is important for engineers to improve and keep up with the current technologies, and new innovations. With the launch of the “Engineers Progression Pathway Programme”, it would serve as a platform for engineers in Singapore to enhance their professional and technical skills to help fight the climate change.
References
Chua, J. (2015, July 28). Engineering plays crucial role in climate change. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from http://www.eco-business.com/news/engineering-plays-crucial-role-in-climate-change/
CNN Travel. (2012, March 6). Singapore’s dirty accolade: Asia-Pacific’s biggest carbon footprint. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from http://travel.cnn.com/singapore/life/singapores-dirty-honor-asia-pacifics-biggest-carbon-footprint-876659
Kotwani, M. (2015, April 15). Expect a hotter, wetter Singapore if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t tackled. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/expect-a-hotter-wetter/1785302.html
National Climate Change Secretariat. (2015, February 5). Impact of climate change on Singapore. Retrieved September 24, 2015, from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/climate-change-and-singapore/national-circumstances/impact-climate-change-singapore
Cheng Yang 