As for December theme, careers related to renewable energy, I though civil engineer would be the most suitable and in-demand job as civil engineer has to consider a lot about sustainability during the whole process. Civil engineer is somebody who designs and looks after the construction of public infrastructures such as road, park, bridge, dam, airport etc. There are some challenging aspects of civil engineering as there are various factors that need to be considered from the cost of the total construction to building inspections. Although these factors already make civil engineering complicated, appropriate use of green technology makes it even more challenging.

According to 2018 research, infrastructure projects including power plants, buildings, and transportations are responsible for producing 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The task of civil engineers is to reduce this emission as much as possible when planning a new infrastructure. Today I would like to introduce some of eco-friendly aspects used in civil engineering.

1. Green alternatives

By changing the materials used in manufacturing into something renewable, the world can reduce its carbon emission. Concrete substitute, also called as green concrete, is one example. Usually, CO2 is released when limestone and clay are combined and heated in high temperature. Green concrete uses cleaner technologies such as substituting high percentage of cement by fly ash up to 100%, using waste materials as one of the element, and using natural pozzolan(powdered substance mixed with lime to strengthen the element). Just by choosing more sustainable materials, huge amount of carbon emission can be reduced.

2. Green design

Sustainable design is focused on minimizing the damage to environment and health. Indoor air quality, smart technologies used for sustainable building, toxics and waste reduction, water and energy efficiency are some points that need to be considered during sustainable construction. Keeping them in mind, civil engineers can use radiant floors, solar power, geothermal system, energy efficient window system and others to remove harm to environment as much as possible.

3. CCUS

Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage(CCUS) is varied methods to capture CO2 by using or storing it so that it doesn’t get released to the atmosphere. It can be either captured by separating it from other gases in power plants or directly in the atmosphere thanks to new technologies. Then it has to be compressed and transported to storage sites so that it can be injected back to the porous rocks, which can permanently trap CO2. Using CCUS during civil engineering is a major chance to cut carbon emission in short period of time.

The need of greener and more sustainable civil engineering approached to me in more realistic way as my father is currently working with civil engineers all the time. I got to hear a lot from him about how these infrastructures built as an outcome of civil engineering pollute areas and produce massive wastes. Thus, beside from the work of civil engineer, I believe there needs to be a restriction on overuse of carbon emitting materials. Also, government has to support civil engineers and companies that are trying to use renewable sources so that they don’t feel burden by the cost of renewable energy. All of these regulations and government led actions can help the civil engineers to make a future city that the world dream of.