Definition Environmental engineering

Definition Environmental engineering

Definition - Environmental engineering was 

defined by Gilbertson (1973) as that branch of engineering concerned with the application of scientific and engineering principles for:

Protection of human populations from the effects of adverse environmental factors;

Protection of environments, both local and global from the potentially deleterious effects of natural and human activities; and,

Improvement of environmental quality

What’s the purpose of environmental engineering?

Historically environmental engineers have created systems and strategies to treat waste streams; produce safe drinking water; control storm water; manage solid waste, hazardous waste, and radioactive waste; clean up environmental contamination; and, control noise. In the future, environmental engineers must also react to and mitigate changes in climate and resource availability and be a leader in implementing actions that enhance sustainability.

Is there a need for environmental engineers?

Indeed! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics there are over 51,000 environmental engineers employed in the U.S. and Jones et al. (2005) reported the upper range may be as high as 100,000.

Moreover, Environmental engineering is only one of two engineering disciplines that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts will have “faster than average growth” over the next 10 years. The projected 22% growth in the number of environmental engineers to 63,000 by 2020 is the 2nd largest of any engineering discipline. In contrast, overall growth rate for all occupations will be 14% (US Department of Labor).