Society members encouraged to do their part to help meet humanitarian challenges around the world
ASHRAE is now a network supporter of Engineering for Change (E4C), a growing community of engineers, technology professionals, designers, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and local community advocates working together to design, apply, and share innovative and sustainable technical solutions to meet a broad range of humanitarian challenges around the world.
“By partnering with Engineering for Change, our members can contribute their knowledge and our technology to help improve the quality of life for people around the world,” ASHRAE President Tom Watson said. “Our involvement allows us to match the technology to the need, to find affordable solutions that benefit communities and ourselves.”
The initiative is part of Watson’s presidential theme, “Broadening ASHRAE’s Horizons,” which emphasizes the role of ASHRAE members as leaders in the application of sustainable design and practices in communities worldwide.
Under E4C, ASHRAE members can get involved with existing projects or start new ones. Watson noted that there is a wide range of projects—from refrigeration to hospitals to indoor-air quality—to which members can contribute their technical expertise.
“ASHRAE’s longstanding commitment to the promotion of engineering excellence in the service of sustainability and humanity makes it a natural ally for the work of the E4C coalition,” Noha El-Ghobashy, president of E4C, said. “We look forward to working together with ASHRAE and its distinguished membership for years to come.”
Another effort under way is ASHRAE’s Community Sustainability Project program, through which members are encouraged to get more involved in their local communities.