The Grandest Challenge of All: The Role of Environmental Engineering to Achieve Sustainability in the World's Developing Regions

Abstract

The environmental engineering discipline has focused much of its historical efforts in developing regions of the world on advancing environmental sustainability through improving provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. However, the skills and expertise that reside within the discipline of environmental engineering are fundamental to achieve a much broader range of sustainable development goals, including those related to health, climate, water, energy, and food security; economic development; and reduction of social inequalities. Accordingly, this article critically reviews several focus areas where environmental engineering should assume a more active presence in the global community that seeks to achieve sustainability in developing regions of the world. The 10 environmental engineering Grand Challenges for the developing world covered are: (1) understand the historical perspective of the discipline's connection with public health as the field transitions forward; (2) integrate the differences encountered when operating over rural to urban locations; (3) address emissions of greenhouse gases and other important carbon-containing pollutants; (4) understand the link between development and health to better connect health outcomes and reduction in risk with ecosystem management and other development interventions; (5) address the complex interactions of water energy systems; (6) integrate the synergy inherent in development/ sustainability goals of WASH, food security, and resource recovery; (7) transition to a green economy; (8) advance monitoring, evaluation, and assessment activities that include life cycle assessment, (9) integrate culture, perception, and behavior with advances in science and technology, and (10) educate globally competent engineers. Our hope is that this discussion leads to a better world through monumental improvements in the environment and human well-being and drives new innovations and opportunities in research, education, practice, and service.

Wastewater technopolitics on the southern coast of Belize

“…As we have noted in previous publications (Mihelcic et al 2017), in the Global North, technologies are sometimes embedded not only in political structures but also in the marketplace, which encourages efficiencies to reduce costs and increase benefits. Yet, in the Global South, technological systems are often not driven by market forces alone, but are embedded in social institutions that operate on different values (Jackson 2006).…”

Introduction to the Importance of Sanitation

“…Much of the water supply in London at the time was contaminated by human feces. In the later 1800s, Edwin Chadwick promoted sewage disposal and running water in homes in the United Kingdom (U.K.) (Ferriman, 2007) which was the time that the "Great Sanitary Awakening" began in the U.S. and U.K (Mihelcic et al, 2017). The sanitary revolution/awakening was in fact selected as the top medical advance since 1840 by over 11,300 readers of the British Medical Journal (Ferriman, 2007).…”

“…The sanitary revolution/awakening was in fact selected as the top medical advance since 1840 by over 11,300 readers of the British Medical Journal (Ferriman, 2007). This period was also the origin of the discipline of sanitary engineering (also referred to as environmental engineering and environmental health engineering) (Mihelcic et al, 2017). Nevertheless, many of the sewer systems constructed during the Great Sanitary Awakening did not provide treatment of the wastewater or address rural sanitation issues.…”

Disengaging or Disappearing? Losing the most Socially Motivated Students from Engineering?

“…Engineering has an important role to play in addressing a number of important challenges facing society and the world. [1][2][3] These challenges embrace the interface between humans and technology, and addressing these issues will require creative, systems-level thinking. A diversity of engineering students with a range of talents and attributes will be needed to meet the demands of society.…”