In this case, there are two solutions presented to reduce carbon emissions in the air from burning fossil fuels; as a result, it will reduce global warming. In this paper, these solutions and questions related to them are to be discussed and analyzed.
In the first proposition, AVA Solar proposes to use solar energy in place of fossil fuel to reduce carbon emission rates. Although solar energy is an excellent method of generating clean “green” energy, has a popular appeal, and is typically given high marks in regards to “green” technology. This process raises concerns due to the use of cadmium, a toxic element used in solar panels that raises concerns about cancer. As an engineer, the first fundamental canon in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) codes of ethics is, “Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public”. Therefore, an engineer’s moral obligation is to not create or innovate something that is going to harm people. However, as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) code, states that “Engineers should be committed to improving the environment, to enhance the quality of life” (sec 1.f). In another ASCE document, “The role of an engineer is sustainable development”. As a result, an engineer in his decision should consider both the NSPE first code of ethics and also follow the ASCE code.
According to utilitarianism in doing the most good for the most number of people, this means that solar energy should be used to benefit human kind; whereas, the minority group that is exposed to cadmium such as workers in developing and in production of solar panels are neglected; unlike respect for persons theory where everyone matters...
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...or Powertech and its Colorado land and project manager, urges that its company’s proposal be judged on facts; however, does Douglas have a bias towards Powertech, Would her statement be different if she wasn’t working for them, and is she being neutral. Douglas implies the words “good science”, the word “good” is subjective, and it means different things to different people. “Good” science cannot be pure good; it always has its “bad” aspects linked to it. As a result, “good” science alone can never provide the answers wanted.
In the end, in my opinion, science cannot solve a problem without creating a new one. There’s always going to be environmental and ethical issues associated with science and technology. As an engineer, he or she should have a critical attitude towards technology and science and always be cautious and aware of both the benefits and risks/costs.
In order to reduce to potential climate change, the amount of greenhouse gases being released need to be reduced.
Martin, M.W. and Schinzinger, R. (2005) Ethics in Engineering. 4th ed. New York: McGraw Hill.
About two-thirds of electricity used globally today is generated from fossil fuels using the energy created from burning fuels such as coal and gas, which release greenhouse gases. These trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming. Moreover no more fuels are predicted being formed in the near future to replace what is being used up since fossil fuels finite and nonrenewable. In the future, countries will need to generate more of the electricity they need without using fossil fuels. Besides slowing global warming, they also have to meet electricity demand when these fuels start to run out or become unavailable due to political problems between countries.
If you are trying to reduce the signs of aging, this product will help you. This beverage has nutrients that can reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
The observation of nature and the formulation of a hypothesis is the back bone of many scientific experiments today. This allows for many observers or scientists to product a conclusion based on statistical results of the phenomenal (SOURCE). The result of the scientific method has produced much technological advancement and has solved many practical problems (Bocking, 2006). Many inventions by science has given power to scientist and their work, this “authority of science” as Bocking (2006) describes it, allows power to reside in science and allows for it to be trustworthy enough to be part of many political decisions. This authority has placed a status on science as a provider of reliable knowledge (Bocking, 2006). In many environmental issues, this power of science has been readily used to reinforce environmental regulations and policy that protects both the human and environmental health. However, it can also enhance controversy by having supporting scientific data that contradict one another (Bocking, 2006). Controversy such as the impacts of wind turbines are the highlights of arguments, as counties such as Canada, move toward a sustainable society by using renewable resources.
One of the biggest environmental impacts which is steadily increasing in severity due to fossil fuel usage is global warming. Global warming is mainly caused due to the trapping of heat in the atmosphere due to increased amounts of carbon dioxide. Because of the burning of fossil fuels, there has been a twenty five percent increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the last 150 years (Clean Energy). This increase over the years has caused the global average surface temperature to raise ...
(Source C). So unlike fossil fuels that can damage our environment later on in the future solar
Naomi Oreskes believes that although science has its faults, we should believe and trust in it. There are many scientists do not like to compare science to belief or faith. They will argue that “faith is a separate thing apart and distinct from science.” Oreskes argues against those
Claim: Solar power has the potential to become the United States main supply of energy and replace are needs for more conventional and harmful forms of power generation.
Poel, Ibo Van De, and Lambèr M. M. Royakkers. Ethics, Technology, and Engineering: An Introduction. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Print.
In the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, scientists and policy makers have focused on three options: nuclear power, energy from biomass; and a combination of wind, water, and solar power. Nuclear power, however, is much more costly and runs the risk of having it fall into the wrong hands where it could be turned into a weapon of mass destruction. The third option entails wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants and rooftop systems, concentrated solar thermal power plants,...
Engineering is an essential and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are likely to show the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a straight and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Consequently, the services offered by engineers need honesty, impartiality, equality, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public safety, welfare, and health. Engineers must act under a standard of professional performance that requires adherence to the maximum principles of ethical conduct.
Solar energy is clean energy that does not affect our environment. Solar power utilizes the sun’s energy to produce electricity, unlike other sources of energy, which rely on continual mining for raw materials. Consequently, producing solar energy from the heat from the sun does not result into the annihilation of the ecosystem, compared to the extraction of fossil fuels (Bode, 2005). Therefore, with the use of solar energy, it will help keep the environment clean, thus help to combat the issue of global warming, which is a threat to the world’s ecosystem worldwide. The use of solar energy will help save the worlds vegetation, and help prev...
Why do we need to rely on renewable sources? Most of the energy that we use today come from fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, and oil. All of these resources are non-renewable, it can finish one day. In order to have a better world and a healthy environment for the future, people are trying to obtain energy from natural resources instead of non-renewable sources. In the lecture “Renewable energy resources” (2014), Mistry focuses on some advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. There are different kind of resources that we can use in order to produce renewable energy. Solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power are just some of the kinds of renewable energy that might be the best options to obtain energy because they come from
Each of us lives with a modern paradox; how can we continue to enjoy the benefits of science and avoid the threat of its misuse or abuse to endanger life and nature? Responses to this paradox have been many, but seldom anything but emotional and impotent in making any useful changes. Among the strongest feeling brought forth by our increasing awareness of the negative side effects of technology has been the feeling of alienation - that we in society have little or no control over the impacts of science and technology on those of us who are supposed to be their beneficiaries.