Transcript Slide 1
UNIVERSITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Professor Suleyman Aremu Muyibi PhD, MNSE, Reg. Engr(COREN),MIOBB, MMNN, MMANCID, MWA Visiting Professor( LAUTECH, OGBOMOSO) DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING FACULTY OF ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA BIENNIAL CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY ASSOCIATION OF VICE CHANCELLORS OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES (AVCNU) UNILORIN JUNE 1 -4, 2009 Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Engineering 1 Presentation Outline Introduction: Global Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability Environmental sustainability programmes in Universities Policy Development Master Plan Development and Implementation Implementation Strategies Education and Training Programmes in Environmental Management( multidisciplinary approach) Concluding Remarks Faculty of Engineering 2 Global Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability The demand of Humans upon the planet earth are now of a volume and kind that, unless changed substantially, threatens the future well-being of all living species. Universities are entrusted with a major responsibility to help societies shape their present and future development policies and actions into the sustainable and equitable forms necessary for an environmentally secure and civilized world. As the international community marshals its endeavors for a sustainable future, focused upon the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development(UNCED) in Brazil in 1992, universities in all countries are increasingly examining their own roles and responsibilities. The meeting expressed the belief that solutions to these problems can only be effective to the extent that the mutual vulnerability of all societies, in the South and in the North, is recognized, and the energies and skills of people everywhere be employed in a positive, cooperative fashion. Faculty of Engineering 3 Global Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability… At Talloires, France in October, 1990, a conference of university presidents from every continent, held under the auspices of Tufts University of the United States, issued a declaration of environmental commitment that has attracted the support of more than 100 universities from dozens of countries. At Halifax, Canada, in December l991, the specific challenge of environmentally sustainable development was addressed by the presidents of universities from Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Zimbabwe and elsewhere, as well as by the senior representatives of the International Association of Universities, the United Nations University and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. The Halifax meeting added its voice to those many others worldwide that are deeply concerned about the continuing widespread degradation of the Earth's environment, about the pervasive influence of poverty on the process, and about the unsustainable environmental practices now so widespread. Because the educational, research and public service roles of universities enable them to be competent, effective contributors to the major attitudinal and policy changes necessary for a sustainable future, the Halifax meeting invited the dedication of all universities to the following actions: Faculty of Engineering 4 Talloires & Halifax Declarations Declarations that commit signatory universities and colleges to advancing research on sustainable development(Done at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, the 11th day of December, 1991): To ensure that the voice of the university be clear and uncompromising in its ongoing commitment to the principle and practice of sustainable development within the university, and at the local, national and global levels. To utilize the intellectual resources of the university to encourage a better understanding on the part of society of the inter-related physical, biological and social dangers facing the planet Earth. To emphasize the ethical obligation of the present generation to overcome those current malpractices of resource utilization and those widespread circumstances of intolerable human disparity which lie at the root of environmental unsustainability. Faculty of Engineering 5 Talloires & Halifax Declarations… To enhance the capacity of the university to teach and practise sustainable development principles, to increase environmental literacy, and to enhance the understanding of environmental ethics among faculty, students, and the public at large. To cooperate with one another and with all segments of society in the pursuit of practical capacity-building and policy measures to achieve the effective revision and reversal of those current practices which contribute to environmental degradation, to South-North disparities and to inter-generational inequity. To employ all channels open to the university to communicate these undertakings to UNCED, to governments and to the public at large. Faculty of Engineering 6 Environmental Sustainability Programmes in Universities Policy development Master Plan Development and Implementation Environmental Management Regulations and Guidelines relating to: Wastewater treatment and disposal : includes laboratory/workshop liquid waste, domestic wastewater from toilets and washrooms, eateries etc. Conversion of waste to valuable added products Integrated Solid Waste Management: Food waste, garden waste, office waste(papers, cardboard etc), plastics, glass , waste from labs / workshops etc. Conversion of waste into value-added products, recycling, reuse, etc. Air Quality Management Faculty of Engineering 7 Implementation Strategies Implementation of Master Plan Implementation of Environmental Management Regulations and Guidelines for Sustainability. Integrated Solid Waste Management Wastewater Management Air quality Management- Indoor and Outdoor Faculty of Engineering 8 Implementation Strategies… Research and development programmes in environmental sustainability. Formation of multidisciplinary research groups/clusters dealing with environmental management & sustainability . Waste management: Environmental Biotechnology Applications Waste as a resource: bioconversion of wastes into value added products. Examples: Production of bio-fertilizer/biocompost from solid waste/agro waste/food waste/sludge etc. Production of biogas from municipal/domestic wastewater & food waste. Production of industrial bio-chemicals from municipal wastewater (sludge, effluent) & food waste e.g. citric acid, bio-protein( for animal feed), enzymes, activated carbon, bio-plastics Development of Pilot scale bioconversion systems e.g. bioreactors, (show photos) Faculty of Engineering 9 Some Typical Applications of Environmental Biotechnology in Environmental Management o o Treatment of waste to produce valuable products (bio-conversion) for example Bio-fertilizer from garbage, saw dust , Biogas e.g. methane from palm oil mill effluent (POME), Bio-ethanol, citric acid etc. from POME. Biogas production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Faculty of Engineering 10 DEVELOPMENT OF BENCH SCALE MODEL ROTARY DRUM REACTOR Faculty of Engineering 11 ROTARY DRUM BIOREACTOR -ACCESSORIES Speed Controller Humidifying Tank Faculty of Engineering Air Flow meter Air Compressor 12 Implementation Strategies Education and Training Programmes in Environmental Management ( Multidisciplinary) Undergraduate programmes: elective courses/options Postgraduate Programmes( PGD, MSc, PhD): specializations Short courses/workshops Relevant specialties/ disciplines in Environmental Science & Engineering Wastewater Management &Engineering: municipal/domestic, industrial, institutional etc. Solid Waste Management & Engineering includes: municipal/domestic, industrial, institutional and hazardous wastes Public Health Engineering Green Technology Environmental Management & Pollution Control Water Quality Management(Science & Engineering) Environmental Biotechnology Resource Management Faculty of Engineering 13 CONCLUDING REMARKS The conservation of the natural environment is an imperative commanded by God, the Lord and Sustainer of all beings. Protection of the natural environment from abuse by man leads to the improved quality of life of all of God’s creation, i.e. human beings, animals, water resources, land resources, vegetation etc. The need to protect the natural environment with all its biological components from the harmful activities of man has existed as long as history has been recorded. Faculty of Engineering 14 CONCLUDING REMARKS… The conservation of the natural environment is a moral and ethical imperative. Environmental problems cannot be solved through knowledge and technology alone. Moral conviction and ethical consciousness -- at both individual and social levels -- can motivate people to forego some of the short-range profits of this life, and to make personal sacrifices for the common good. It is only when our ethical horizons extend to embrace not only mankind but all generations and all created beings, that we can perform the noble role of stewardship on earth for which God created us. Faculty of Engineering 15 CONCLUDING REMARKS…. Ethical teachings should be backed with legislation and effective enforcement of injunctions and prohibitions. The force of law and political authority are therefore indispensable to bring about justice and equity in the allocation and distribution of natural resources and in implementing the measures required for the protection and conservation of the earth and what it contains. Through the institutional arrangements of society, conservation should be integrated with ecologically sustainable development. Conservation divorced from sustainable development is neither socially acceptable nor economically viable. People's rights to harvest and extract the natural resources on which society depends should be allocated according to the effort they invest in the beneficial use and conservation of these resources, and linked to accountability for the way they use these common assets of society The right to use a resource sustainably for profit provides an incentive to reinvest in its conservation and enhancement. Similarly, the economic benefits of the conservation of a resource should return to those people who have borne the cost of its conservation Faculty of Engineering 16 CONCLUDING REMARKS…. Scientific and technical knowledge of the natural environment and the means of its conservation should continually be improved and developed through ongoing scientific research and monitoring. Accurate information is indispensable to make enlightened decisions for the conservation of the natural environment, to avoid acts that lead to its degradation, and to rectify damage that already has occurred. Such information should be disseminated as widely as possible and incorporated into extension services and basic education in the schools and universities so as to enable the public to participate fully in the conservation of the environment. The development of the earth, in order to be ecologically sustainable, should be planned and carried out in accordance with the natural constraints, ecological values and sensitivities, and inherent suitability of its various localities. Planning for development should in every case include analysis of environmental impacts, and be designed to minimize damage to the natural environment and depletion of natural resources. Due consideration of all aspects of the environment, including science, health, and natural beauty, should be emphasized throughout every development project. Faculty of Engineering 17 CONCLUDING REMARKS… Developmental actions and projects undertaken in one country should not lead to any kind of damage, harm, or degradation in the natural environment of another country. The natural environment and natural resources should not be subjected to any irreparable damage for the purpose of military or hostile actions. The challenge that faces us is unprecedented in its magnitude, and to meet it requires an enormous mobilization of resources, sound strategies, and resolute action, so that we may, God-willing, maintain and perpetuate a good and prosperous life for the present and future generations of mankind and all created beings. Finally there is the urgent and crucial need to promote all endeavors, whether local, regional, or international in scope, and call for the joining of concerted efforts in all fields to conserve, protect, and rehabilitate our natural environment Faculty of Engineering 18 THANK YOU FOR YOUR AUDIENCE Faculty of Engineering 19