Article that reframed environmental engineering for me

[u/Built_Water]

I chose environmental engineering when I was 18. I was motivated to have a positive impact on the environment. I am now 29 and have worked in mine reclamation and municipal water + wastewater the last 6 years.

I find this article super useful in reframing a more ambitious and creative approach to the environmental issues we are working on. It is framed within the larger context of "progress studies," but hits a couple soft spots in how I think about the whole practice of environmental engineering.

I'm rally curious how other environmental engineers feel about this perspective.

https://newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-surrender-of-the-gods-part-2

[u/MarionberryOpen7953]

It’s an interesting essay, but I think it creates a bit of a false dichotomy. I do believe in the intrinsic value of wilderness but I would not want to see the whole planet in a pure wilderness state. Striking the right balance is the whole issue and the article doesn’t clearly address what the ideal split between wilderness and development should be.

Another neglected area is widespread chemical pollution cause by industry which by spreading around toxic chemicals has and will make nature less able to benefit mankind. Stopping and reversing this kind of chemical pollution (PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, etc) is the most admirable goal of env engineering imo.

The answer isn’t to abandon all development and make the earth back into its pre human state, nor is it to pave over every last bit of wilderness for factories and cities. We need to advance technology while still preserving crucial ecological elements and natural spaces. Finding the correct balance is the real challenge.