Transforming Environmental Engineering and Science Education, Research, and Practice

Abstract

While the historic Environmental Engineering and Science (EES) paradigm of limiting pollution discharges and reducing them where environmental harm has occurred has been highly beneficial to humanity and the planet, factors such as continued population and economic growth require new approaches. The new EES paradigm must implement proactive rather than reactive solutions, which focus on restoring the environment rather than simply remediating past pollution events. This paradigm will require implementation of integrated solutions that simultaneously address multiple media and create multiple benefits. Dramatically increased resource efficiency must become the norm. EES education, research, and practice must be integrated much more fully, both with one another and into society. This will require that new skills be more fully embedded into EES education, research, and practice. The profession can build on existing successes demonstrating how integrated solutions, delivered using an integrated education, research, practice model, can create additional value, while minimizing harm resulting from unintended consequences and restoring the environment. These successes can be used to create champions for this new approach, to gain increased public support, and to create increased demand for them. Practical successes can subsequently provide the basis for supporting policy changes. Professional associations can be key actors in this transformation by both synthesizing and defining best professional practice and engaging stakeholders outside of the EES profession. Creating this new paradigm will not be easy and requires leadership.

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