Why Earth Needs Engineers

The world is facing some of the biggest challenges it has ever encountered.

From natural disasters and soil contamination to overpopulation and loss of animal biodiversity, it can be hard to have hope for the future. Enter engineers! For thousands of years, engineers have been working on solutions to keep our planet clean. Why Earth Needs Engineers explores the birth of environmental engineering and how engineers provide innovations for a healthier planet. Engineers all over the world are working to create renewable energy, provide clean and effective modes of transportation, minimize the effects of the climate crisis and pollution and explore space for the benefit of future generations. The solutions are there, so let's engineer a greener future!
Key Selling Points

• This STEM title introduces young readers to the past, present and future of environmental engineering innovations with chapters on water access inventions, clean air, waste management, energy, agriculture and space.

• This book asks young readers to think critically about environmental engineering in their own lives, introduces career options in the field and inspires innovation for the future.

• It highlights well-known (and not-so-well-known) engineering examples from around the world and throughout history, such as smog towers, aluminum can recycling plants, solar panel highways, nuclear reactors, cloud seeding, atmospheric water generators, zero-waste manufacturing, self-sorting garbage cans and more.

• Extra content introduces readers to notable women in engineering today, including Dr. Karletta Chief (who specializes in hydrology and water resources), Jue Yi (Joyce) Zhang (who specializes in environmental geoscience and air pollution) and Nzambi Matee (a material engineer specializing in plastic waste management).

• The author has a bachelor of applied science in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia. She studied at a time when not many women were in the field.
Part of the nonfiction Orca Timeline series for middle-grade readers, this illustrated book examines the ways engineers have provided solutions for a healthier planet in the past and present and what future engineering innovations could look like.
Helen Liang earned her Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia and an Associate Certificate in Technical Writing with Distinction from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. She is the author of Why Communities Need Engineers and Why Earth Needs Engineers. She is passionate about volunteering in her community and church, and enjoys hiking, writing and learning.

Victor Wong is an award-winning illustrator residing near Toronto. His illustration style is bright, colorful, graphic and utilizes bold shapes. Growing up in rural Nova Scotia sparked Victor's passion for drawing and doodling. He was inspired by weekly comic store visits with his dad, early morning cartoons and ridiculous storytelling with action figures. Not much has changed since then; he still loves drawing superheroes and animals. When he's not illustrating, Victor enjoys kayaking, photography, building things, mystery novels and well-put-together poke bowls. It's about time! From the past to the present and into the future, the Orca Timeline series explores how big ideas have shaped humanity. Discover what our collective history can tell us about the planet today and tomorrow. Engineering a brighter future!