Sustainability science and engineering: the emergence of a new metadiscipline

James R Mihelcic; John C Crittenden; Mitchell J Small; David R Shonnard; David R Hokanson; Qiong Zhang; Hui Chen; Sheryl A Sorby; Valentine U James; John W Sutherland; Jerald L Schnoor

doi:10.1021/es034605h

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Sustainability science and engineering: the emergence of a new metadiscipline

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Sustainability science and engineering: the emergence of a new metadiscipline

James R Mihelcic, John C Crittenden, Mitchell J Small, David R Shonnard, David R Hokanson, Qiong Zhang, Hui Chen, Sheryl A Sorby, Valentine U James, John W Sutherland, …

Environmental science & technology, Vol.37(23), pp.5314-5324

12/01/2003

DOI: 10.1021/es034605h

PMID: 14700315

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Abstract

A case is made for growth of a new metadiscipline of sustainability science and engineering. This new field integrates industrial, social, and environmental processes in a global context. The skills required for this higher level discipline represent a metadisciplinary endeavor, combining information and insights across multiple disciplines and perspectives with the common goal of achieving a desired balance among economic, environmental, and societal objectives. Skills and capabilities that are required to support the new metadiscipline are summarized. Examples of integrative projects are discussed in the areas of sustainability metrics and integration of industrial, societal, and environmental impacts. It is clear that a focus on green engineering that employs pollution prevention and industrial ecology alone are not sufficient to achieve sustainability, because even systems with efficient material and energy use can overwhelm the carrying capacity of a region or lead to other socially unacceptable outcomes. To meet the educational and human resource needs required for this new discipline, the technological and environmental awareness of society must be elevated and a sufficient and diverse pool of human talent must be attracted to this discipline.

Industry

Environmental Pollution - prevention & control

Interdisciplinary Communication

Humans

Conservation of Natural Resources

Goals

Social Conditions

Engineering - trends

Details

Title: Subtitle: Sustainability science and engineering: the emergence of a new metadiscipline
Creators: James R Mihelcic - Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, Michigan 49931, USA
John C Crittenden
Mitchell J Small
David R Shonnard
David R Hokanson
Qiong Zhang
Hui Chen
Sheryl A Sorby
Valentine U James
John W Sutherland
Jerald L Schnoor
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Environmental science & technology, Vol.37(23), pp.5314-5324
DOI: 10.1021/es034605h
PMID: 14700315
NLM abbreviation: Environ Sci Technol
ISSN: 0013-936X
eISSN: 1520-5851
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 12/01/2003
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health
Record Identifier: 9983997426602771

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