Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Introduction to Biotechnologies
and Biomimetics for Civil Engineering
F. Pacheco-Torgal
Abstract This chapter starts with an overview on the sustainable development
crucial challenges. The ones directly or indirectly related to the field of civil
engineering are highlighted. These include greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
related to the energy consumption of the built environment, aggravated by urban-
ization forecast expansion, and the recent increase in building cooling needs due to
climate change. It also includes the depletion of nonrenewable raw materials
and mining-related environmental risks in terms of biodiversity conservation, air
pollution, and contamination of water reserves. Some shortcomings of engineering
curriculum to address sustainable development challenges (especially civil engi-
neering) are described. Possible contributions of biotechnologies and biomimetics
to sustainable development and the rebirth of civil engineering curriculum are
suggested. A topic outline is also presented.
1.1 Sustainable Development Challenges
Four decades ago several investigators used a computer model based on the fixed-
stock paradigm to study the interactions between population, food production,
industrial production, pollution, and the consumption of nonrenewable resources.
As a result, they predicted that during the twenty-first century the Earth's capacity
would be exhausted resulting in the collapse of human civilization as we know it
Meadows et al. (
1972
). Two decades after that an update of this study was pub-
lished showing that some limits had already been crossed (Meadows et al.
1992
).
Rockström et al. (
2009
) recently proposed a new approach to global sustain-
ability defining nine interdependent planetary boundaries within which they expect
that humanity can operate safely. This include:
