jefferson science fellow distinguished lecture by daniel b. oerther january 2015 national academies...

What Does Sustainable Developmentof Science and Technology

Look Like in the 21st Century?

Daniel B. Oerther, PhD, PE, BCEE

John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Environmental Health EngineeringMissouri University of Science and Technology

Jefferson Science Fellow, Secretary’s Office of Global Food SecurityDepartment of State

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

On a sheet of paper…

1. Define sustainable development2. Fold in half3. Share with a neighbor

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.

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.

Defining “development”

Per capita

A dramatic increase in per capita

And the cause?

And the cause?

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.

Defining “needs”

Defining “needs”

Defining “needs”

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.

Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WaSH)

$$$

$$$$$$$$$

$$$$$$$$$

$$$

Communities, Government, Healthcare Infrastructure

Partnerships, Nutrition,

Partnerships, Nutrition, Jobs

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

Human Computation

To Make Money

Pula Cloud; 1

Pula Cloud; 2

Pula Cloud; 3

Pula Cloud; 4

Internet of things

Internet of things

Soylent – a word processormade of people

Shortn – a text shortening service that cuts selected text down to 85% of its original length without changing meaning or introducing errors.

From:http://www.theconnectivist.com/2014/05/infographic-the-growth-of-the-internet-of-things/

Additive manufacturing; 1

Additive manufacturing; 2

Additive manufacturing; 3

Additive manufacturing; 4

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.