May 2010

Environmental Stewardship Starts With You

Chantal Guay, ing., P.Eng., M.Env., CEO, Engineers Canada

As engineers, we are very aware of important local, national and global environmental issues, and we play an integral role in finding the solutions to environmental challenges. April is an important month for thinking about the impact of our engineering practices and how we can improve our environmental stewardship as Earth Week is April 19 to 25 and Earth Day is April 22. Our activities as engineers can have an impact on the planet and future generations, and we are morally responsible for creating and implementing sustainable practices and principles to govern our work.

For example, engineering principles are behind such renewable energy innovations as the electric car, solar energy, wind farms and green power. Our interest in developing technology and creating solutions that contribute to sustainable development is why engineers are researching how to create energy from waste by converting methane from biomass to usable forms of energy, and how to reduce the impact of emissions through carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). These innovations and many more are valuable contributions to society.

At Engineers Canada, all of our programs and initiatives are geared towards improving Canadians’ quality of life, but we don’t stop there. We have been gathering information and providing recommendations on the adaptation of physical infrastructure to climate change and natural disaster risks through our involvement at the national level with the Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee and at the international level as chair in the World Federation of Engineering Organizations’ Committee on Engineering and the Environment.

We are also committed to reducing the direct and indirect environmental impacts of our day-to-day operations.  To this end, one of our first steps is ensuring that our meetings, which involve stakeholders from across the country, leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. Our green meetings policy statement reads: “Engineers Canada will consider and implement, where possible, environmentally preferable features and practices at every stage of planning and delivery of its meetings, events and activities, including selection processes, acquisition of meeting supplies and services.” We have developed baseline indicators, data collection methods and a continuous improvement process in order to reduce the environmental impacts of our meetings.

As well, at the office, Engineers Canada staff members take measures to lessen their individual impact on the Earth. We have committed to minimizing our consumption of paper by printing all documents double-sided or distributing them electronically when possible. We use our own mugs and cups for beverages, and have recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal throughout the office. Many staff members also carpool, use public transit or find other sustainable ways to get to work.

While “going green” may seem like a daunting task, it is important to remember that we become more sustainable one person at a time. Everyone’s contribution is important when it comes to making changes for more sustainable living. Your individual efforts can have far-reaching effects, and I encourage you to do your part to improve your own personal and professional sustainable practices. Remember, by acting locally you really do improve life globally.

© Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador