Reader Response : Draft1

In the article "Why The Climate Fight Needs Engineers", Shah (2005) stresses on the important role engineers play in climate fight. The aim of Singapore Sustainable Blueprint (SSB) to turn residential area into “eco-smart” town and making Singapore a zero-waste nation requires mastery of energy related technology and development of efficient engineering system.  Khew, deputy president in Institute of Engineers, highlighted that expertise and innovation from various field are the “frontline role to fight climate changes”. Adding on, Kuttan, director and country manager of the Clean Technology Centre, believes that engineers that understands energy in sustainability apart from their own field is essential to reduce emission for climate changes. Raising standards for engineers, “Engineers Progression Pathway program” is launched to help engineers to further develop their skills. In Shah’s article, I agree that engineers that not only excel in their field but also think as a whole of green sector plays an essential role to fight and curb climate changes.

Firstly, Shah’s argument is valid because the article discuss the different reasons and areas engineers has to play in the climate fight. The article also states the various aims and goals to be achieved. The design, construction and operation of the city has a huge impact on emissions and global warming. Taking in high aspiration ideas will help innovative cities eventually to stay in lead to decrease cost of energy and reduce emissions. Streets and buildings can be smart too by the use of technology to moderate energy usage. (Doherty, 2015). Similarly, these points are also mentioned in Shah’s article.

Furthermore, in Shah’s article, Kuttan, director and country manager of the Clean Technology Centre, also mentioned that to fight climate changes and reduce emissions, energy sector is important focused on. While research shows that 78% of greenhouse gases comes from industry, the production of cements and steels contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Roughly around half of global warming contributions comes from burning fossil fuels for energy. In order to stop global warming, emissions need to reduce 70% by 2050. (Biello, 2014). Renewable energy is taking over fossil fuels starting from 2013. According to International Energy Agency, solar energy, although not as popular now in the electricity market, could probably be the biggest source by 2050 (Randall, 2015).

In conclusion, Shah’s article provides valid point that engineers are important for climate fight and they have to work together and think as a whole in sustainability to reduce global warming.

References:

Peter Doherty. (2015). We need a smart urban revolution, and Asia is just the place to do it. Retrieved from http://www.eco-business.com/opinion/we-need-a-smart-urban-revolution-and-asia-is-just-the-place-to-do-it/

David Biello. (2014). How to Solve Global Warming: It's the Energy Supply. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-solve-global-warming-its-the-energy-supply/

Tom Randall. (2015). Fossil Fuels Just Lost the Race Against Renewables. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-14/fossil-fuels-just-lost-the-race-against-renewables