Jefferson Science Fellow Distinguished Lecture by Daniel B. Oerther January 2015 National Academies Washginton DC
Title: What Does Sustainable Development of Science and Technology Look Like in the 21st Century? Author: Daniel B. Oerther, PhD, PE, BCEE John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Health Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology Jefferson Science Fellow, Secretary’s Office of Global Food Security, Department of State Abstract: Science and technology innovation – from the discovery of fire to electricity to computers – has allowed the creation of new and more efficient global economies. As we have developed from hunter- gathering communities, to agricultural economies, and very recently to industrial, service, and knowledge economies, some groups across the globe have been left behind financially. Looking ahead towards 2050, the employment opportunities in human computation promise to: 1) solve challenging problems and 2) simultaneously grow economically. Human computation is a computer science technique in which a machine performs its function by out-sourcing certain steps to humans. Combined with the internet of things and additive manufacturing, the greatest untapped resource of the developing world is the vastly under-utilized intellectual capacity of billions across the globe. Rather than promote development policies and programs that incrementally bring the financially impoverished through the stages of personal and economic development, this presentation will argue that a leap frog approach relying upon science and technology innovation is the path we should pursue for sustainable development. Biography: Dr. Daniel Oerther earned his doctorate in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois. He pursued additional graduate training in microbial ecology (Marine Biology Laboratory), public health (Johns Hopkins), and public administration (Indiana). He was a member of the faculty of the University of Cincinnati from 2000-9 including one year as Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Professor Oerther is currently the John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Health Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. @DanielOerther describes himself as, “a social entrepreneur using design thinking to eliminate extreme poverty, ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, and to protect global food security and nutrition.”
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Jefferson Science Fellow Distinguished Lecture by Daniel B. Oerther January 2015 National Academies Washginton DC
- 1. What Does Sustainable Development of Science and Technology Look Like in the 21st Century? Daniel B. Oerther, PhD, PE, BCEE John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Health Engineering Missouri University of Science and Technology Jefferson Science Fellow, Secretary’s Office of Global Food Security Department of State
- 2. Outline • Defining sustainable development • A journey from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the field of Human Computation • STOP! Example • Pula cloud • Defining the internet of things • Defining additive manufacturing • Conclusions
- 3. On a sheet of paper… 1. Define sustainable development 2. Fold in half 3. Share with a neighbor
- 4. Our Common Future • Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- 5. Our Common Future • Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- 7. Per capita
- 8. A dramatic increase in per capita
- 10. And the cause?
- 11. Our Common Future • Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- 12. Defining “needs”
- 13. Defining “needs”
- 14. Defining “needs”
- 15. Our Common Future • Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. – the concept of 'needs', in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and – the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.
- 17. Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WaSH)
- 19. $$$
- 20. $$$$$$ $$$
- 21. $$$$$$ $$$ $$$
- 25. What is Human Computation? • Need everyone to pretend to be driving a car • I’m gong to show a series of signs • Stand up when you would stop your car • And sit back down when you would proceed
- 37. To Make Money
- 38. Pula Cloud; 1
- 39. Pula Cloud; 2
- 40. Pula Cloud; 3
- 41. Pula Cloud; 4
- 43. Internet of things Soylent – a word processor made of people Shortn – a text shortening service that cuts selected text down to 85% of its original length without changing meaning or introducing errors.
- 49. Conclusion • Rather than promote development policies and programs that incrementally bring the financially impoverished through the stages of personal and economic development, • This presentation argues that a “leap frog approach” -- relying upon science and technology innovation -- is the path we should pursue for sustainable development.
Editor's Notes
- Abstract: Science and technology innovation – from the discovery of fire to electricity to computers – has allowed the creation of new and more efficient global economies. As we have developed from hunter- gathering communities, to agricultural economies, and very recently to industrial, service, and knowledge economies, some groups across the globe have been left behind financially. Looking ahead towards 2050, the employment opportunities in human computation promise to: 1) solve challenging problems and 2) simultaneously grow economically. Human computation is a computer science technique in which a machine performs its function by out-sourcing certain steps to humans. Combined with the internet of things and additive manufacturing, the greatest untapped resource of the developing world is the vastly under-utilized intellectual capacity of billions across the globe. Rather than promote development policies and programs that incrementally bring the financially impoverished through the stages of personal and economic development, this presentation will argue that a leap frog approach relying upon science and technology innovation is the path we should pursue for sustainable development. Biography: Dr. Daniel Oerther earned his doctorate in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois. He pursued additional graduate training in microbial ecology (Marine Biology Laboratory), public health (Johns Hopkins), and public administration (Indiana). He was a member of the faculty of the University of Cincinnati from 2000-9 including one year as Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Professor Oerther Dan is currently the John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Health Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. @DanielOerther describes himself as, “a social entrepreneur using design thinking to eliminate extreme poverty, ensure access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, and to protect global food security and nutrition.”
- Also known as the Brundtland Commission; chaired by Gro Harlem Brundlandt, former Prime Minister of Norway. Published in 1987 by the United Nations. NOTE: Before the 1992 Rio Summitt.
- Also known as the Brundtland Commission; chaired by Gro Harlem Brundlandt, former Prime Minister of Norway. Published in 1987 by the United Nations. NOTE: Before the 1992 Rio Summitt.
- Constant, low level of growth (red), but we see a constant increase in GWP (blue). Q: Why is this? A: Growth in population.
- Confirmed. Growth in population corresponds to growth in the GWP.
- But something changes and we shift to a dramatic increase in growth (red). This leads to a condition where the per capita gains dramatically increase (i.e., blue line accelerates and cross green line). Wow! This should impress!
- And if we zoom in and look closely at modern history, we note that some time around 1750 or so there was a substantial increase in the GWP even though the population continued to growth at approximately the same rate. What happened around 1750?
- And if we zoom in and look closely at modern history, we note that some time around 1750 or so there was a substantial increase in the GWP even though the population continued to growth at approximately the same rate. What happened around 1750?
- Also known as the Brundtland Commission; chaired by Gro Harlem Brundlandt, former Prime Minister of Norway. Published in 1987 by the United Nations. NOTE: Before the 1992 Rio Summitt.
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
- Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970 (born in Brooklyn, NY)