Brief Summary
This webinar discusses the importance of low carbon product engineering in addressing the global climate crisis. It emphasizes the need for industries to design functional, sustainable, and environmentally friendly products by choosing renewable materials and reducing emissions during production and distribution. The discussion covers various aspects, including the role of industrial engineering in optimizing production processes, reducing waste, and promoting the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). It also addresses the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low-carbon economy, highlighting the importance of individual actions, government policies, and technological advancements.
- Importance of low carbon product engineering
- Role of industrial engineering in optimizing production processes
- 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
- Challenges and opportunities in transitioning to a low-carbon economy
Introduction to Low Carbon Product Engineering
The webinar addresses the global climate crisis and the importance of product engineering in various industries. This engineering aims to create products that are not only functional but also sustainable and environmentally friendly. Crucial steps include designing the distribution process, choosing renewable materials, and reducing emissions during production to promote a greener approach. The role of society is significant in supporting low-carbon products, requiring consumers to make wiser choices with every purchase to protect the environment.
The Reality of Environmental Issues
The discussion highlights the environmental issues, such as floods, air pollution, and water contamination, emphasizing their causes and impacts on public health. Surabaya is experiencing increasingly hot weather, with average temperatures rising annually, contributing to global warming. The melting of ice at the poles endangers polar bears and raises sea levels, while extreme weather events like tornadoes are becoming more frequent due to global warming. Human activities directly and indirectly contribute to these environmental problems, necessitating responsible actions to mitigate their effects.
Understanding Carbon Footprint
The discussion shifts to understanding carbon footprint, which refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, organization, event, or product. Activities that generate waste or carbonaceous waste, whether solid or gas, contribute to one's carbon footprint. Reducing carbon footprint involves adopting more responsible practices to minimize environmental impact. Data from 2002 indicates that China, the United States, and India have the highest carbon footprints globally.
Switching to Low Carbon Products
The discussion emphasizes the importance of using low-carbon products to minimize environmental pollution. Low carbon products have a minimal impact on the environment. Examples include using shopping bags instead of plastic bags, reusable drink bottles instead of single-use ones, and electric bikes instead of gasoline-powered vehicles. Surabaya minimarkets no longer provide free plastic bags, encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags.
The 3R Concept and Beyond
The 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is discussed as an effort to lower carbon footprint and promote sustainability. Reduce involves minimizing waste generation, such as reducing the use of plastic bags. Reuse entails repurposing items for the same or different functions, like using jam jars as containers. Recycle involves processing waste into new items, such as turning plastic packaging into wallets or plastic bottles into clothing. The concept has expanded to include reviews or rejects, repair, recover, regenerate, and responsible or accountable actions.
The Impact of Industrial Engineering
The discussion highlights the role of industrial engineering in reducing carbon emissions throughout the product lifecycle, from raw material selection to distribution. Industrial engineers optimize processes to be more efficient, faster, and environmentally friendly. They design production flows to minimize waste and energy consumption, and they create environmentally friendly packaging. The goal is to achieve zero net carbon emissions by using trains for goods delivery, which have the smallest carbon footprint compared to cars and airplanes.
Q&A Session Part 1
The Q&A session addresses concerns about the environmental impact of electric vehicle battery production. While electric vehicles eliminate emissions from the vehicle itself, electricity sources in Indonesia are still primarily coal-based, which is not green. The discussion explores the trade-offs between conventional vehicles and electric vehicles, emphasizing the need for greener electricity generation. Battery waste is also a concern, and efforts are underway to find ways to reuse or recycle battery components.
Q&A Session Part 2
The Q&A session continues, addressing questions about energy efficiency, ensuring low-carbon claims on products, and collaboration among producers, consumers, and governments. Simple actions like turning off unused electrical equipment and using bicycles for short distances can reduce emissions. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to achieve a low-carbon economy.
Q&A Session Part 3
The Q&A session explores strategies for reducing carbon emissions from private vehicles in areas with limited public transport. Options include using smaller CC vehicles, carpooling, and transitioning to electric vehicles. The role of the younger generation in supporting the energy transition to clean energy is emphasized. Combining low-carbon product engineering with environmental education programs in schools is also discussed.
Choosing a Major and Career Paths
The discussion provides guidance for students choosing a major, highlighting various scientific clusters, including religious science, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, formal sciences, and applied sciences. Industrial engineering falls within the applied science cluster and offers diverse career paths in manufacturing, banking, telecommunications, energy, logistics, and academia. The importance of mathematics and physics in engineering is emphasized.
Industrial vs Mechanical Engineering
The discussion clarifies the difference between industrial engineering and mechanical engineering. While mechanical engineering focuses on machines, industrial engineering considers the human side, costs, and overall supply chain. Industrial engineering graduates can work in various sectors, including manufacturing, banking, telecommunications, energy, logistics, and academia.
Internship Opportunities and Skills for Industrial Engineering
The discussion addresses internship opportunities for industrial engineering students in well-known companies. Skills needed to succeed in industrial engineering include a strong foundation in mathematics and an understanding of process optimization and system design. The importance of mastering national exam materials and developing problem-solving skills is highlighted.
Composting as a Solution
The discussion concludes by highlighting composting as a method to manage organic waste. Composting involves using anaerobic composter bins to decompose organic matter, reducing unpleasant odors and producing valuable compost for gardening.
