The EM as an Industrial Ecologist
March 28, 2008 by GREGORY HILTON and Frances | Filed under: The EM as an Industrial Ecologist [1]
Hello to everyone participating in this EM discussion topic. For those of you who have not already reviewed my profile, My name is Greg Hilton and I am a RIT student participant in the Environmental Management Workshop.
I would like your thoughts on the roles and definitions of an Environmental Manager and Industrial Ecologist?
Myself, I am new to this discussion topic and discipline. Therefore I headed right to the net to investigate the definitions and roles for both. As usual I found there to be plentiful information and articles related to both spheres of knowledge. I summarized as follows:
An Environmental Manager is considered a specialist in managing an organization’s environmental strategies and performance. An effective Environmental Manager must have the knowledge, skills, and ability to influence the resolution of environmental issues within their organization. Environmental Management work activities include:
- Implementation of environmental policies and practices
- Development of pollution control, pollution prevention and recycling programs
- Ensuring compliance with environmental legislation
- Reducing and organization’s environmental risks and financial costs
- Leading social responsibility issues and appropriate action
- Raising awareness of environmental impacts and emerging issues to all level of the organization
An Industrial Ecologist is considered a interdisciplinary role that focuses on the sustainable combination of environment, economy, and technology. Their work involves using the principles of of natural systems in the development of sustainable industrial systems so as to reduce environmental impact. Industrial Ecologist work may include:
- Material and energy flow studies
- Designing for the environment
- Development of product oriented environmental policy
- Product life cycle planning
- Product stewardship planning
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_ecology
http://industrialecology.blogspot.com/
Thanks for starting us off Greg. Last year when John did this symposium for the first time, I moderated a workshop where I tried to facilitate discussion on what environmental managers value– not just our work activities or tasks. Why do we do these things in the first place? I hope that’s what we can get get from this discussion. How does industrial ecology fit with the values of environmental management which then leads to the question: What are those values? It seems that Mr. Seager is proposing that building and maintaining resilience in the environment and workplace as a potential fundamental value of our profession. I think this is a very interesting way of looking at industrial ecology. Usually you think of the Kalundborg, Denmark example that Hawkins describes in his book or Braden Allenby’s eery interpretation of “geo-engineering.” I look forward to working with you all in expanding these ideas.
Thanks for the response Frances. I understand your point on discussing what environmental managers value verses their work activities. Your comment about Mr. Seager’s proposal that environmental managers build and maintain resilience in the environment and the workplace as a fundamental value brings to mind a question. What are the changing elements related to industrial ecology discipline that the environmental manager needs to prepare for? The answer is not clear to me. As my current view of the environmental managers role is more focused on policy, compliance, and risk mitigation.