Environmental issue: Choose any current environmental issue on which a civil/environmental engineer might reasonably work.

In 2-3 single-spaced, typed pages, describe the issue and the role that an environmental engineer would play. Give some background on what the causes of the issue is and discuss potential ways to deal with it. Point out any connections you see to material that was covered in CEE 357. For example, does the issue involve reaction kinetics or energy balances?; does it impact or is it affected by global climate change? In the end, make a recommendation either for the kind of investigation you would carry out to obtain additional information on which to base an action plan, or, if you have enough information, what that action plan would be.

Pick a topic that is manageable; (don’t try to address the world’s water shortage!). It might be a good idea, though not essential, to choose something that you are already familiar with – a water shortage in your home town, eutrophication of a lake where your family has taken a vacation, a time someone you know got sick from drinking contaminated water, etc. 

You will be graded on the clarity, logic, and comprehensiveness of your discussion. Please cite any documents from which you take information, and include quotes if appropriate, but the bulk of the writing must be your own work and your own thoughts.