INNOVATION March-April 2014

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That our local climate is “changing” is not up for debate. The more important issue is that the current global rate of atmospheric and ocean warming caused by anthropo- genic activity is unprecedented in human history, and in the history of engineering and geoscience practice. As a profession, we must acknowledge that the unpredictable (and potentially catastrophic) results of this warming are a problem that challenges our ability to protect human health, built infrastructure and the planetary ecosystems that support us. Re-evaluating our assumptions about local weather effects in light of changing climate is useful, but not nearly as important as recognizing that some activities performed by engineering and geoscience professionals may exacerbate the problem. As our Code of Ethics requires that we “Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public, [and] protection of the environment,” we must go beyond merely evaluating impacts, and we must make the move towards reducing then eliminating the root cause of anthropogenic global warming, through technological innovation and best practices, as part of our regular everyday professional practice. APEGBC is a public body charged with protecting the public interest. It is our responsibility to recognize risks that may result from our practice, and be clear about the management of those risks. Forthright disclosure based on the best scientific knowledge is the basis of the trust placed upon us by our clients, the general public and our governing legislation. To be equivocal about the cause and potential impacts of anthropogenic global warming is to belie this trust. Patrick Johnstone, P.Geo. Richmond, BC

A Needless Position The APEGBC Position Paper on Climate Change (Jan/Feb issue) states that “APEGBC recognises that the climate is changing” ; but that is no “position” at all, simply a needless acknowledgement of a fact. The climate has been changing for many thousands of years…and still is. David Poole, P.Eng. Surrey, BC Initially driven by my desire to gather INSA Lyon graduates with the aim to share experience and, more generally, get to know each other, I would like to organize networking events for engineers who graduated in France and came to BC to work. I would be glad to hear from you. Please write to me at lemaire.anna@gmail.com. Anna Lemaire, EIT Vancouver, BC Call for French Engineering School Graduates

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APEGBC Member Honoured by EIC for Exceptional Contributions to the Profession

The Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC) has announced the 2014 recipients of its honours, awards and fellowships. The senior awards of EIC are the highest distinc- tions made by the Institute and are awarded to members of its technical societies. In addition, 18 engineers have been inducted as Fellows of EIC for their exceptional contributions to engineering in Canada. EIC President Jean Zu presented the award to APEGBC member, Tarek Sayed, P.Eng., at the Institute’s Annual Awards Banquet at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa on March 15 for exceptional contributions to engineering in Canada.

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