Reader Response : Draft 2

In the article "Why The Climate Fight Needs Engineers", Shah (2015) stresses on the important role engineers play in climate fight. As climate change is due to urbanization and rapid population growth, Singapore Sustainable Blueprint (SSB) aims to turn residential area into “eco-smart” town and making Singapore a "zero-waste nation". Hence, proficiency of energy related technology and development of efficient engineering systems are required. Khew, deputy president of Institute of Engineers, highlights that expertise and innovation from various fields are the “frontline role to fight climate changes”. Furthermore, Kuttan, director and country manager of the Clean Technology Centre, believes engineers that understands energy in sustainability apart from their own field are essential to reduce emission for climate changes. As a result, “Engineers Progression Pathway programme” is launched to help engineers to further develop their skills. While I agree with Shah's article that engineers play an important role in the climate fight, I feel that the article can be more specific in explaining the reason why and how engineers should contribute, particularly in the energy sector.

The first reason that Shah's article is not specific is despite pointing out that the energy sector is important, the article does not specifically mention the reason why energy sector should be focus on. Research shows that the energy sector contributes to more than half of the global greenhouse gases (GHG) emission of 64.5% while waste contributes to only 3.2%. Thus, with these explanations, it can give the reader more idea and convince them on why energy sector should be largely focused on for this climate fight.

Furthermore, the author’s article vaguely mentions that renewable energy is one of the areas to look into. However, it does not explain what kind of renewable energy to be focused on for Singapore’s context. Due to limited land space, renewable energy sources like wind power is not practical in Singapore. Currently, Singapore still relies on burning fossil fuels for energy (Mokhtar, 2015). Research on feasibility of solar PV energy and is done. Calculating the payback period and electricity power the solar photovoltaic generates, further potentials of solar photovoltaic power are to be looked into such as “copper-based thin film cells” that can help maximise energy efficiency (King & Wettergen, 2011).

In conclusion, the author can be more detailed in explaining why and how is energy sector important for engineers to work on for climate fight. Majority of the greenhouse gases are produced from the energy sector, therefore it is an area where attention needs to be directed to. The energy sector is indeed an important and the main factor to look into the climate fight as majority of greenhouse gases is produced from this sector. Lastly, research shows that engineers could focus on contributing to energy sector specifically the solar energy as it is renewable and it will give out lesser GHG.


References
King, S. & Wettergren, P. (2011). Feasibility Study of Renewable Energy in Singapore. Retrieved from http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:444754/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Shah, V. (2015). Why the climate fight needs engineers. Retrieved June 8, 2008, from http://www.eco-business.com/news/why-the-climate-fight-needs-engineers/
World Resources Institute. (2005). GLOBAL ANTHROPOGENIC GHG EMISSIONS BY SECTOR. Retrieved from http://www.c2es.org/facts-figures/international-emissions/sector

Mokatar, F. (2015). Challenging for Singapore to find alternate energy sources: Shanmugam. Retrieved July 8, 2015, from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/challenging-for-singapore/1969810.html

~Edited 2/10/15 9.51am