Social Responsibility and Environmental Stewardship

Whether it is bridges, aircrafts or biomedical devices, the public entrusts its safety to engineers and scientists. This puts the mantle of social responsibility on every engineer and scientist. In serving society, the environmental impact must also be in the forefront for every professional.

The 21st century poses new challenges. Society needs engineers and scientists to provide the answers for the real problems facing mankind.

Selected References

The following are selected references on important issues facing our next generation of leaders. Select a topic to view related references.

Social Responsibility Environmental Stewardship What Engineers and Scientists Can Do

  • Ethics and the Second Law of Thermodynamics  
    by Norman R. Augustine
    This article argues that the mantle of social responsibility dictates ethics, and the second law of thermodynamics holds equal weight within our professions.


  • Engineering Ethics: The Conversation without End
    by Samuel C. Florman
    This article reminds us that ethics does not mean “wearing a white hat,” but realizing that the public is relying upon us.


  • Online Ethics Center 
    This is the United States National Academy of Engineering’s online resources center for engineering ethics.


  • Judge Gary’s Principles
    by John P. Surma
    Judge Gary proposed one of the first corporate social responsibility policies in 1901. This article reviews the relevance of Judge Gary’s principles to today’s businesses.


  • Informational Booklet on Industrial Hygiene
    United States Department of Labor - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    A primary responsibility of leaders is to ensure workplace safety. This Web site provides a general overview of industrial hygiene and safety, occupational health and hazard communication programs.


  • Environmental, Health and Safety Considerations of Producing Nanomaterials
    by Todd M. Osman
    Nanotechnologies promise to revolutionize society, yet concern exists over the environmental, health and safety (EH&S) issues of manufacturing nanomaterials. This article reviews recent progress and EH&S needs for the nanomaterials enterprise.

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