Sustainability and Education: The Need for New Degree Options

The need to possess knowledge, skills, and perspectives in sustainability has never been greater for sustainability has gained recognition and importance in businesses, industries, non-profits, government agencies, higher education, and in the general public's consciousness. The goal of meeting today's needs without harming future generations' ability to realize their potential is the hallmark of sustainable practices, and there is widespread interest from many engineering disciplines and sectors in developing, enhancing, and integrating sustainability into aspects of products, services, and solutions. Sustainability can be taught in many engineering and technology disciplines, including, but not limited to: civil, aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, biomedical, manufacturing and architecture. This paper will look at integrating sustainability into existing curriculum as well as the possibility and attributes of new degree programs designed to address the new green economy. In addition, this paper will look at how sustainable knowledge affects a graduate's ability to establish a green career and how the future green global workforce will address stakeholders' needs and expectations of a greener and cleaner environment. Most importantly, this paper will look at the calls for changes in engineering education to prepare engineering students for global challenges with respect to climate change, sustainability, and other grand challenges that the world is facing.