We should actually look at this as an opportunity to develop new technologies in the same way that many major technical advances were made during World War 2. Radar, antibiotics, computing, nuclear research, communications, the development of all these innovations was hastened by the need of the war effort to get things done and defeat the enemy.
And the heartening thing is that many of the technologies that can help tackle climate change already exist. We are not starting from scratch; we just need the impetus, collaboration and guidance from those in charge to accelerate the programme.
Renewable forms of power, improved battery technology, wireless charging, local nuclear power stations, electrification of transport and hydrogen power sources – all these technologies are being developed – we just need a concerted effort on all these fronts to improve and implement them for everyone so we really can live in a low carbon emitting world.
One thing this country’s track record in science, engineering and manufacturing shows is that we certainly have the talent, skills and expertise to be at the forefront of this green (5.0?) industrial revolution.
Of course, this battle will mean a degree of adaptation and sacrifice on our part. We will have to be prepared to see more solar panels and wind farms in our countryside; we may have to accept that nuclear power is part of the solution, and we may have to find ways of working and getting from A to B that are less convenient but more sustainable. As someone who often finds myself stuck on the M25 this is no sacrifice at all.
Let’s face it, it’s a lot less inconvenient than having to storm the beaches of Normandy under machine gun fire or live through the bombing and blitz of a major city.
So come on engineers, step up, like the recruiting poster says, ‘Your world needs you.’