Celebrating Earth Day and the Role of Civil Engineers
Happy Earth Day! As civil engineers, we couldn’t help but notice the striking connection between our work and the natural world we inhabit. After all, our job is to design, build and maintain physical structures that work in tandem with the surrounding environment.
We understand that human progress and environmental preservation are equally important and interconnected. The world we build must not only serve our needs but also consider the balance of the ecosystems around us. At HR Green, we are committed to creating progressive engineering solutions that benefit our communities and the planet.
History of Earth Day
Before 1970, there were no laws that protected much of our world. We lacked critical environmental regulations for disposing toxic materials and even for the treatment of essentials like drinking water.
This all changed beginning in the spring of 1970 when Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force environmental protection issues onto the national agenda. According to the EPA, 20 million Americans participated in demonstrations across the country on the first Earth Day! As a result, in December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Since then, many regulations and laws, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, have been implemented to protect the world and our communities. Earth Day continues to be celebrated annually and grows internationally. Over 190 countries today recognize Earth Day.
Civil Engineering Impacts on the Environment
Civil engineers are entrusted with an important mission: finding innovative solutions that provide a meaningful contribution to our environment and improve the lives of those in their community. From optimizing water systems, reclaiming brownfield sites, and protecting waterways with low impact designs to pursuing energy-efficient initiatives, all engineering disciplines play a critical role in preserving our environment.
HR Green’s Commitment to Improving Lives
As civil engineers, it is our duty to create sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for our communities. By designing infrastructure that minimizes impacts on ecosystems, implementing stormwater management systems that offer climate resiliency, and combating the nation’s ongoing public health concerns associated with lead service lines, we constantly strive to find the balance between advancement and preservation. HR Green’s designs seek to improve the lives of those residing in our communities today while also considering the lives of future generations.
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