Environmental Engineering

Now that we are already suffering from global warming, environmental engineering is a career that can make a positive and concrete intervention

India in the last decade has fast-tracked its ride on the road to development. Industrialisation, modernisation, and urbanisation have and are leaving their mark on the environment. In the wake of Copenhagen, we need to seriously work towards controlling the level of environmental pollution and contamination in a more institutionalised way. India holds the 5th rank among countries which have the highest carbon emission.

Environmental engineering

Environmental engineering usually falls under the umbrella of civil and chemical engineering. It is basically an interdisciplinary approach to improve the environment. It applies the scientific and engineering principles to reduce and control air, water, and land contamination.

A degree in environmental engineering

One can only specialise in environmental engineering at the Master’s level. This interdisciplinary programme includes air quality control, water supply, waste disposal, storm water management, solid waste management and hazardous waste management. One can specialise in environmental engineering, environmental management, or an MSc in environmental sciences.

Focus

On the brink of global warming, environmental engineering has shifted its main focus from producing safe drinking water and industrial and management of liquid and solid wastes. Reduction of air and land contamination levels, and management of toxic and hazardous waste management occupy the spotlight.

Environmental engineering is borne of the need to save the environment, preserve and multiply its quality through sustainable development programmes. In a nutshell, the three main areas of environmental engineering are: (a) assessment of the environmental condition, (b) identify the problems, natural or man-made, which are causing destruction, (c) use principles of engineering to develop solutions.

The need of the hour

Environmental engineers are needed in almost each and every section of any economy. In the industrial sector, engineers are needed to assess and grant approval of projects. They have the power to reject or alter certain plans. They act as watchdogs on the industries controlling and supervising the levels of toxic wastes. Besides, various universities, governmental organisations and environment management companies offer scope for research to tackle the problem of environmental pollution and degradation. Recycling and waste management also require engineers with the specialisation to build and design processes for the purpose. Fourthly, engineers are hired by both governments and Non Governmental Organisations as experts and consultants on the environment to spread awareness and give advice on various projects. Pollution Control Boards for instance, employ environmental engineers to oversee implementation of best practices in pollution control. Agencies working in the areas of public health, water resources and waste management have environment specialists on their rolls in an advisory capacity.

Prospects

Indian Institute of Technology (Kanpur and Kharagpur), Delhi College of Engineering, Anna University (Chennai) and TERI University (Delhi) offer courses and programmes in environmental engineering. Starting pay package of an environmental engineer could be anywhere between Rs 3.6 – 4.5 per annum. She could be employed by consultancy firms, recycling and waste management companies, or even opt for a career in teaching.

In fact, Jairam Ramesh, the Indian Minister of State for Environment and Forests, expressing his discontent over the level of pollution in cities promised to start 10 to 12 fellowships in environmental studies in January, 2010. He also suggested the creation of an Indian Academy of Environmental Science which will bring together the national labs working on environmental issues in India, reported The Times of India.

This, therefore, seems to be a good time to enter the field if you are an environmentalist. The world is grappling with this problem which shows no sign of subsiding any time soon. India is the third biggest pollutant on the global map. This leaves an immense scope for contribution by way of waste management, industrial and chemical waste reduction, sewage and garbage organisation, innovations in the field of agriculture and chemical fertilisers.