Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Assignment - Essay Example Today they give much emphasis on infrastructural changes which can reduce the impacts of those unforeseen contingencies. Many of the ultra modern inventions add to the ongoing environmental issues this way or that. This paper will critically analyse the problems associated with developmental activities and possible remedies that civil engineers can adopt in order for meeting those challenges. Challenges for civil engineers The supersonic growth of modern world necessitates various types of productive activities which would ultimately cause environmental issues. It is not possible to stop constructional activities in order to safeguard the environment. Hence, the civil engineers face extreme challenges with regard to developing protective infrastructure models. In contrast, the rampant growth of construction industry weakens the effectiveness of infrastructural developments. The following parts would introduce some of the recent environmental issues and possible solutions to address t hem. A. Global warming Global warming refers to the phenomenon of increase in the average temperature of earth’s atmosphere, which will result in the increase in volume of water and a consequent rise in the sea-level. The earth absorbs most of the thermal radiations like infrared radiation from the sun and reflects back the remaining part to the atmosphere. These reflected heats are trapped by the greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane and ozone; and this process causes the rise in atmospheric temperature. This green house effect due to the existence of green houses gases is the main cause of global warming. Majority scientists are of the opinion that human activities amplify the emission of greenhouse gases and hence global warming. For instance, when refrigerator functions, it releases a harmful compound called chlorofluorocarbon which causes the depletion of ozone layer and contributes to global warming. Similarly, most of the production and constructio n processes emit toxic gases that also deepen the problem. Although there are number of green house gases in the atmosphere, among them carbon dioxide, which is mainly produced as a result of increase in fossil fuel burning vehicles plays major role. The warmer air boosts the water evaporation which produces excessive water vapour in the atmosphere and subsequently the same cycle process repeats. The climate change is the most disastrous outcome of global warming and related environmental difficulties including diminution in agricultural yields. It is too practicable to cut the use of refrigerator or vehicles in order to minimise the CO2 emission; the only way is to develop improved technology which would impede the problem in future. The invention of non fossil fuels such as solar energy and nuclear energy may help to answer the issue of global warming because they normally do not cause carbon emission. Civil engineers can do a lot in addressing the impacts of global warming which in turn will minimise the climate changes. As suggested in Minority report on global warming and the role of civil engineering, engineers should try to develop infrastructural frame works with the minimum usage of ‘concrete foundations, kiln-fired brick and concrete walling blocks, steel or concrete frames, ground-bearing floor slabs, glass, aluminium and steel profile sheeting’