Engineers Practice Environmental Sustainability
By Heerwagen, Peter
With rising energy prices and concern about the environment, civil engineers are paying more attention to sustainability issues in their work.
In fact the code of ethics of the American Society of Civil Engineers in Reston, Va., requires civil engineers to “strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their professional duties.”
In a policy statement issued in 2007, the ASCE said, “Engineers have a leading role in planning, designing, building and ensuring a sustainable future. Engineers provide the bridge between science and society. In this role, engineers must actively promote and participate in multidisciplinary teams with other professionals, such as ecologists, economists, and sociologists, to effectively address the issues and challenges of sustainable development.”
The ASCE educates its members on sustainable development, particularly in areas of natural resources and water habitats. In 1996, it established the Geo-Institute as a specialty organization focused on improving the environment, mitigating natural hazards, and economically constructing engineered facilities. The institute has 10,900 members including scientists, engineers, technologists, and organizations.
The U.S. Green Building Council in Washington, D.C., certifies buildings as “green,” with its LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, and gives the accredited professionals (AP) designation to persons working in the construction sector who have met certain requirements. “Anyone with the design or building side of construction can receive accreditation, with is known as LEED AP,” said Ashley Katz, communications coordinator for the council.
“We now have more than 51,000 people accredited, those who are well versed in the LEED accounting and have been to workshops and taken exams.”
Civil engineers are not necessarily focused on buildings, but in the design and construction of public works such as bridges or dams, and other large facilities, and in site work for residential and commercial developments that include road design, drainage design and grading.
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Web site indicates that no civil engineers in private practice in the Quad-state region carry the LEED AP, while there were 51 engineers in Pennsylvania, 24 in Maryland, 59 in Virginia and none in West Virginia.
“It’s a marketing tool which people can use to differentiate themselves,” said Katz. “And you get a point towards a certified building if one of the workers on the team is LEED accredited.
“LEED certification for buildings is in high demand, with 3.6 billion square feet of commercial buildings associated with LEED, and 1,471 certified buildings or registered projects that are in the pipeline. The green building rating system shows environmental responsibility, and its return on investment is higher than non- LEED certified buildings.”
Copyright News for Business, Inc. Jun 2008
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