Should Engineers Counteract Environmental Extremism?
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 121, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper argues that extreme environmentalism, akin to a religion, is causing the expenditure of massive amounts of limited resources of both money and attention to solve relatively unimportant problems. A crisis mentality in the news media has fostered a distorted view of environmental issues. The public perception of environmental problems is far removed from that of the scientific concensus. Environmental policy is now based more on emotion and debate than on facts and rational calculation. The attempt to reduce risk from man-made sources to zero, while ignoring much more substantial natural sources, diverts funds from real problems that could be addressed to alleviate suffering and disease. A moderate, rather than fearful, reaction to environmental concerns is urged. Engineers should promote quantitative solutions to environmental problems, and should appreciate the economics of pollution control and risk reduction. The inclusion of supplemental materials to support a rational concern for environmental issues in environmental engineering courses is urged.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 121 • Issue 2 • April 1995
Pages: 79 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Apr 1, 1995
Published in print: Apr 1995
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