Portfolio 1

In my opinion, the most dominant problem facing by the engineers today is to find the solutions for grand challenges. According to the article "Introduction to the Grand Challenges for Engineering"(National Academy of Engineering, 2008), the world's cadre of engineers are finding ways to put their knowledge into practice to overcome these grand challenges. We are unable to neglect or deny the importance on interactions between environment and living beings.Human beings are strongly dependent on environment for the energy , food and others.

The Earth's energy-source will be used up one day. Engineers need to develop new sources of energy. For example, using solar energy instead of the ongoing use of fossil fuels. Solar energy, which is a renewable energy, will not cause pollution and can be used as a long-term energy. Since 19th century, solar energy had been used in our life. According to an article, "In the 1830s, the British astronomer John Herschel used a solar thermal collector box to cook food during an expedition to Africa"(Energy from the sun). However, using solar energy still has some problems. Many people cannot get it due to the cost. The price of solar cells is very costly. Furthermore, there are many factors will affect the efficiency of the solar energy system; for instance, its performance is not so well when using it at the rainy day and at night. Now, engineers are trying their best to make it economical and efficient.

Besides, burning of fossil fuels will cause global warming. It will produce carbon dioxide, a key gas involved in global warming. "Global observations coordinated by WMO show that levels of carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, continue to increase steadily and show no signs of leveling off,'' Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said (Greenhouse Gas Hits Record High). Now, engineers are developing a new method to capture the carbon dioxide.

In conclusion, there are still many barriers await for engineering solutions. Engineers play an important role in changing our life. They have the abilities to save our earth and make the impossible task become possible. Let us wait for the engineers to change our life and make a better future.




National Academy of Engineering. (2008, February). Introduction to the grand challenges of engineering. Retrieved June 3, 2008, from <http://engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9221/.aspx>


Greenhouse Gas Hits Record High <http://www.livescience.com/environment/ap_060315_carbon_dioxide.html>


Energy from the sun
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/solar.html>