ENGINEER & SOCIETY UNIT II Session 01 Generalizations from the 2nd law of thermodynamics

We could state the following characteristics about entropy. Low Entropy High Entropy High quality energy Low quality energy Low probability states High probability states Ordered systems Disordered systems High information content Low information content Most spontaneous processes or events tend to increase the amount of Entropy in the Universe. Life systems seem to create order out of chaos and hence create negative Entropy.

Session 02 Shadows cast by entropy

The second law of thermodynamics implies that we increase the net store of entropy in the universe by our activity. This means that although we create order, more disorder results (i.e. entropy) as a by product. What we experience as environmental pollution is a manifestation of this created entropy. Life systems also generate entropy, but are able to minimize it and export it to the outside such that its manifestations are not destructive. It is therefore necessary as technologists that we study life systems so that we could minimize the disorder, so readily created in industrial activity.

Session 3 Ecosystems
Ecosystems are made up of abiotic (non-living, environmental) and biotic components and these basic components are important to nearly all types of ecosystems. Ecosystem ecology looks at energy transformations and biochemical cycling within ecosystems. Energy is continually input into an ecosystem in the form of light energy, and some energy is lost with each transfer to a higher trophic level. Energy is moved through an ecosystem via a food web, which is made up of interlocking food chains.

Session 4 Climate change and Related Issues I

This session introduces the current debate of climate change establishing in particular the link between climate changes with technology. Session 3 starts with an introduction to climate change discussions at the global level on a range of predictions made by different international forums, groups and individuals. As the final section of this session we also discuss the possible causes of climate change.

Session 5 Climate change and Related Issues II

This session discusses how climate change could be addressed at the global scale and also the sector-wise mitigation measures available for Sri Lanka. By deviating from the general position taken by the developing countries arguing that it is up to the developed countries to find solutions to the problems they have created while leaving space for the developing countries to pollute for the sake of achieving development, we propose that Sri Lanka should not do the same mistakes by following a high carbon path but get ready for a sustainable future.

Session 6 Visual Environment

Visual environment around us affects us either at a conscious or subconscious level. Sometimes it may arouse various psychological reactions in the perceiver. Certain visual environments result in pleasurable sensations, while some other visual environments lead to a reaction of indifference, discomfort or even revulsion. However certain mental reactions are common for most of the people, while certain mental reactions are highly individualistic and subjective. Within this study, the visual environment is considered as a three-dimensional visual composition. Then the quality of the visual environment is discussed considering it as an aesthetic composition.

Session 7 Visual Pollution

The most unnoticed environmental problem Visual pollution is one of the most unnoticed environmental problems. The degradation of the visual quality of the environment may be termed as visual pollution. However, the quality or the pollution of the visual environment cannot be discussed using quantitative yardsticks only. Therefore, a new mechanism and tools have to be found to

assess the quality and the pollution of the visual environment. One way of assessing the quality or the pollution of the visual environment is to consider the visual environment as an aesthetic composition, and hence, to determine a mechanism for the purpose.

Session 8 Legal mandate for EIA in Sri Lanka and EIA procedures
In 1970 the USA became the first country to make EIA a legal requirement for major development projects. Since then, countries throughout the world have enacted similar laws, suited to their own constitutions, economies and social values. The National Environmental Act No 47 of 1980 (NEA) is our basic national charter for protection and management of the environment. The procedures laid down in the NEA are supplemented by orders and regulations published by the minister of environment in the government gazette. The EIA process is mandated only for Prescribed projects, which need to be cleared by designated project approving agencies before they are implemented.

Session 9 Environmental Impact assessmentA tool for sustainable development

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a procedure for assessing the environmental implications of a decision to implement policies and plans or to initiate development projects has become a widely accepted tool in environmental management since its inception over two decades ago. EIA has been adopted in many countries with different degrees of enthusiasm where it has evolved to varying levels of sophistication. In this session you have seen how EIA process evolves for last two decades, and importance of indentions of EIA in development planning.

Session 10 Methods for EIA

Since development of Environmental impact assessments, several methodologies have been designed to conduct such assessments. In the early years most of the assessments were done on an ad-hoc basis. They have evolved into more methodological scientific technologies with time. Whatever methods are chosen, the focus of impact assessment has evolved from generating a list of potential impacts on selected environmental components. Todays methods consider the environment to be dynamic, integrated group of natural and social systems. Impacts occur over time and space. Some impacts are immediate while others are delayed. Some impacts occur as a direct result of an activity; other occurs as secondary or higher order impacts resulting from changes in other environmental components. In selecting assessment methods, it helps to

understand and to analyze the impacts of project activities, and is a complex and complicated procedure. The complexity increased by the diversity of the disciplines involved social, Physical and Biological. Scientific experts are responsible for conducting reviewing of EIAs and maximum possible quantification should be accompanied. EIA gives opportunity to affected populations, development agencies, and project proponents to participate in decision-making process.

Session 11 Strategic Environmental Assessments

Only a relatively small number of countries and international organizations have made formal provision for SEA. These frameworks vary, sometimes substantially, and indicate the flexible adaptation of SEA to different levels and types of decision-making. As presently institutionalized, SEA is a multi-stage process that encompasses a spectrum of approaches and diverse arrangements, procedures and methods. These include EIA based environmental appraisal and integrated policy and planning systems, and range in emphasis from assessing the impact of implementing a policy or plan to applying SEA iteratively to build environmental aspects throughout the formulation of a proposed approach.