10 major engineering challenges of the next decade
Challenges related to climate change continue to threaten the world's population. But solutions exist, and engineers will play a major role in solving them. Here are 10 major challenges and what engineers can do about them in 2023.
1. Upgrading the aging U.S. infrastructure
The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our aging infrastructureWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet a C- grade and estimates that the U.S. is spending just over half of what is needed. Significant action is needed to bring our roadsWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet, bridges,Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet waterWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet, electricalWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet and sewage systemsWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet to proper safe working order.
2. Educating first world engineers to understand how to solve third world problems
The Renewable Resources Journal reports that the world’s population will grow by two billion over the next two decades, 95% of this in developing or underdeveloped countries. Engineers must learn new ways to solve problems Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnetin these countries.
3. Promoting green engineeringWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet to improve sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint in manufacturingWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet
According to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, manufacturing in the U.S. produced 19,237 trillion BTUs and 1,071 million metric tons of carbon dioxideWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet.
4. Identifying viable and renewable energyWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet sources
The contributions to our energy production from renewables Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnetand other new fuelWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet sources are growing at 6% per year according to BP and will contribute 45% of the increment in energy productionWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet by 2035.
5. Rethinking how the cityWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet looks and works
54% of the world’s population lives in cities. Europe leads the way in sustainabilityWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet, with seven out of the world’s top 10 most sustainable cities, according to the ARCADIS Sustainable Cities Index.
6. Making STEM more appealingWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet to young students
By 2018, the United States will have more than 1.2 million unfilled STEM jobs. Meanwhile, according to a UCLA study, 40% of students enrolled as STEM majors switched subjects or failed to get a degree.
7. Safeguarding our personal data and wealth from cyberattacksWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet
34% of data breaches happen at financial institutions; 11% target retail companies; while 13% target government institutionsWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet, according to the 2014 Data Breach Investigation Report.
8. Addressing climate change Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnetthrough engineering innovation
Six of the 10 cities with the largest annual flood Wird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnetcosts by 2050 are in India and China. Three are in the U.S.: New York, Miami and New Orleans.
9. Feeding our growing population through cutting-edge bio-engineering and agricultural innovationsWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet
The U.N. warns that we must produce 60% more food by 2050 to keep up with demand, but how do we do this sustainably? FoodWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet and waterWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet access will be major issues in the future, and research must begin now.
10. Improving our health and well-being through life sciences, nanotechnologyWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet & bio-engineeringWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet
Administration on Aging, by 2060 the population of Americans aged 65 and older will have more than doubled in size from 2011. This puts a lot of pressure on new drug creation and also on innovative engineering techniques to deliver drugsWird in neuem Tab/Fenster geöffnet.