Introduction
Throughout the history of human kind, engineering is one of the disciplines that have driven the progress of civilization. However, this has not been easy as engineering is faced with great challenges. This is because of several reasons. First, the population will continue to grow and, therefore, expanding its desires and needs. Secondly, there is a problem of sustaining civilization due to its continued encroachment in its fight improve the quality of life. Third, the old and new threats to the public and personal health demand are today more readily and effective available treatments. Susceptibilities to epidemic diseases, natural disaster, and terrorist require serious searches to come up with new methods of prevention and protection. As a result of this, a committee of experts from all over the word, among them very accomplished scientist and engineers and came up with 14 grand challenges that face engineering today. This study will focus on three main challenges that I feel have the greatest magnitude when compared to the rest. Among the three challenges that will be explored by this study include:
1. Develop carbon sequestration methods
2. Providing clean water
3. Engineer better medicine
Develop carbon sequestration methods
The main reason why I feel developing of the carbon sequestration methods is one of the greatest challenge, is because carbon dioxide emission growth is today implicated as a leading contributor to global warming. Global warming is one problem that cannot be swept under the rug but needs to be buried deeply in the oceans. According to the recent studies, there is mounting evidence that CO2 heat trapping power has been boosting the average global temperatures. Engineers can come up with new natural processes techniques that will help in sequestering CO2. For instance, engineers can device methods of pumping CO2 to the ocean in techniques that would latch it eternally into rocks (National Academy of Engineering 122).
Provide access to clean water
Today, the availability of clean water for drinking and other domestic uses is a very critical problem all over the world. Lack of clean water has been the main cause of deaths in the world when compared to war. In a recent study, about 1 of every 7 people in the world today, do not have adequate access to clean water. In addition, more than double of this number lack the simple sanitation. Due to lack of clean water, in some countries many people have been afflicted with poor health. This does not mean the world does not have enough water. All over the world, water is available but located where It is not needed. In the past, engineers have been digging wells and building dams, but with the increasing environmental preservation demands, they will have to come up with sophisticated methods (National Academy of Engineering 125).
Engineer better medicine
Different people have different susceptibility to diseases and response to treatments. However, due to little guidance in adjusting and understanding to individual differences, treatments have generally been standardized for all people rather than personalized for few. Today, we should be having personalized medicine whereby genetic information can be combined with person’s clinical data in order to tailor drugs and doses that will meet the individual’s unique needs. Engineers should come up with techniques that will help in the expansion of personalized medicine (National Academy of Engineering 122).
Conclusion
In the recent past, engineers have been faced with many challenges. Of all this challenges, some are greater than others. This study has explored three main challenges that have greater magnitude than the rest. This includes developing carbon confiscation methods, providing access to clean water, and engineering better medicine. The study has stated the main reasons why these challenges are greater than the rest and explored the role of engineers in entwining them.
References
National Academy of Engineering: [http://www.engineeringchallenges.org] webcite
Grand Challenges for Engineering.2004. Print
