NSBE - Convention 2018 - 52

CLIM ATE

CHANGE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51

COOLING THE PLANET WITH PLANTS
Dan Medina, Ph.D.
Senior Engineer
LimnoTech

Dr. Medina was always fascinated by the natural environment, and water in particular. Lately, he's been focusing on "green" infrastructure
for stormwater management. That means using plants, soils and other natural systems to soak up rainwater into the soil, so it doesn't
flood and contaminate drinking water sources. "Vegetation and soils have a huge potential to help us solve climate change," Dr. Medina
says. Aside from helping manage rainwater, these plants can also absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and push carbon into the
soil. If the plants have deep roots, carbon can stay buried ("sequestered") in the soil permanently, reducing greenhouse gases.

production. Extreme temperatures also put stress on animals,
stunting their growth and their production of milk and eggs.
Also, plants and animals need more water when temperatures are high, which is, of course, problematic if a drought is
occurring.

* Mechanical engineers are making more energy-efficient
vehicles.

* Engineers are developing new energy technologies and
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HOW ENGINEERS ARE HELPING
Here are just a few of the ways engineers are making a positive impact on society in the fight against climate change:
* Civil/biological/mechanical engineers are researching new
sources of water such as reclamation.
* Mechanical, chemical, and environmental engineers are
investigating wastewater and waste as sources of energy.
* Transportation engineers and planners are developing more
sustainable and resilient modes of transportation such as
trains and buses, as well as researching the relationship
between land use and transportation.
* Civil, biological and environmental engineers are implementing "green" (environmentally friendly) infrastructure
in lieu of "gray" (conventional) infrastructure to manage
stormwater volume and quality.

BUILDING CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
Chandra Varma Ponnurangam
Energy Engineer
CVAL Innovations, LLC

Chandra Ponnurangam is passionate about optimization -
perfecting things - and he cares deeply about renewable
energy and climate change. His work these days is designing
sustainable buildings that reduce energy waste and our "carbon
footprint," which is the amount of carbon we release in the
atmosphere as greenhouse gases. What can students do to
reduce climate change? Educate others about the topic, he says.
"The most powerful word: ACT!"

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energy sources (solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, wind,
geothermal).
Structural/civil engineers are working with architects to
develop more environmentally sustainable buildings that
consume fewer natural resources and less energy and
utilize more reused materials.
Materials engineers are developing new products to reduce
the urban "heat island" effect in major cities.
Agricultural engineers are developing mechanisms to
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture
and to adapt to extreme weather events.
Electrical/systems engineers are making processes more
efficient through network communication and graphical
interfaces.
Data engineers are obtaining climate change data to assess
conditions and better plan for the future.

With all of these exciting options, how will you help fight
climate change?! ■
Chanceé Lundy is a civil engineer and environmental scientist
from Selma, Ala., who served as NSBE's national chair from 2004
to 2006. She is the cofounder of Nspiregreen LLC, an environmental consulting, urban planning and public engagement firm based
in Washington, D.C.
Jimena Larson is a senior environmental engineer and urban planner with Nspiregreen LLC. Originally from Bogota, Colombia, she is
interested in water, infrastructure and urban design challenges and
has worked on water infrastructure projects around the globe.
Stacy Weisfeld is a city planner and public policy outreach
specialist with Nspiregreen LLC. She is passionate about creating
sustainable communities, particularly in the transportation sector.
She is the treasurer of Women's March DC and has served as a
board member for Women in Transportation's DC chapter for
four years.
www.nsbe.org

http://www.nsbe.org

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