Energy Challenges: Why There Isn’t an Easy Solution

Recruiting the Next Generation of Engineers and Scientists

Over the next 10 years, a large number of people in the energy industry will retire. But their retirement will not lessen the growing demand for affordable, reliable and clean energy. Accordingly, new engineers and scientists will be needed in every discipline. This new wave of young minds will have to take on larger roles and bigger projects earlier in their careers than their predecessors, making the transfer of knowledge and ideas from one generation to the next a top priority in the coming years.

Energy Sustainability: Will We Run Out of Fossil Fuels?

Most of the world’s energy needs are met through fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources, and demand for this energy is projected to increase. While there is enough supply for several more decades, what will happen when it starts running low? How will we keep the air clean with increased usage? There are ways to reduce waste and use existing technologies to keep the air cleaner by reducing fossil fuels emissions. Options like these are part of a concept called energy sustainability.

Energy sustainability is about finding the balance between a growing economy, the need for environmental protection and social responsibilities in order to provide an improved quality of life for current and future generations. In short, it is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

Energy sustainability can inspire technical innovation with an environmentally conscious mindset. Regulations designed to reduce air, water and waste emissions from energy-related activities such as coal mining and electricity generation also help with energy sustainability, as do people who conserve energy.