In the present work, the growing awareness in engineering of the profession's responsibility towards the environment and the poor is considered. The following approach is taken: a brief overview of the issues of poverty particularly in the U.S. and the deterioration of the natural world with a focus on the Arctic is provided. Case studies involving New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the status of polar bears in a time of shrinking Arctic ice cover are detailed. Recent developments in engineering related to the issues of poverty and the environment are discussed. A new paradigm for engineering based on the works of Leonardo Boff and Thomas Berry, one that places an important emphasis upon a community, is explored.

Autorentext

George D. Catalano is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the State University of New York at Binghamton. He holds joint appointments in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering. In addition, he serves as the director of the university wide honors program at Binghamton. Dr. Catalano earned a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in aerospace engineering at the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science degree also in aerospace engineering at Louisiana State University. Prior to his present position, he has served on the faculty at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright State University, Louisiana State University, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also served as a visiting scholar at the Politechnic in Torino, Italy and at the Technical Institute in Erlangen, Germany. Dr. Catalanos research interests include turbulent fluid flows, low and high speed aerodynamics and experimental methods in physics, modeling ecosystems as well as learning strategies and paradigms, engineering ethics, engineering design and environmental ethics. He is listed in the Philosopher's Index for his published work in animal rights and environmental ethics. Dr. Catalano has over 150 technical and educational publications and has twice been selected as a Fulbright Scholar in recognition of his work in turbulent fluid mechanics.