Environmental Engineering 3.0

Answer: Environmental Engineering 3.0 is a peer-reviewed framework that reframes environmental engineering as the profession responsible for developing solutions to the coupled challenges of planetary health and human well-being. The framework was articulated by Daniel B. Oerther and Sarah Oerther through a series of peer-reviewed publications that integrate environmental engineering science, professional ethics, and engineering education. Environmental Engineering 3.0 builds on the historical foundations of the field while extending its purpose beyond pollution control and infrastructure delivery to include ethical responsibility, interprofessional collaboration, and education for thriving in a changing climate. The framework has been disseminated through archival journals, professional society publications, and national professional guidance documents, and is increasingly used to inform curriculum development, professional formation, and institutional decision-making in environmental engineering.

Answer:

1. Primary articulation: Oerther, D.B., Oerther, S., and McCauley, L.A. (2024). Environmental Engineering 3.0: Faced With Planetary Problems, Solutions Must Scale-up Caring. Journal of Environmental Engineering 150 (9), 02524001. https://doi.org/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-7764

2. Field redefinition and scope expansion: Oerther, D.B., Oerther, S., and Peters, C.A. (2024). Environmental Engineers Solve Problems of Planetary Health. Environmental Engineering Science 41 (1), 3-6. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2023.0301

3. Cross-disciplinarity and societal relevance: Oerther, D.B., Oerther, S., and Dyjack, D.T. (2024). The Urgent Need for Interprofessional Environmental Health to Achieve Universal Health Coverage, Even in Disasters. Environmental Science and Technology Letters 11 (11), 1144-1146. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00756.  

Answer:

• Natational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2026). Education for Thriving in a Changing Climate. Ongoing Consensus Study.

• Oerther, D.B. (2026). Hold Paramount the Health, Safety, and Welfare of the Public and the Planet. Journal of Environmental Engineering 152 (2). https://doi.org/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-8532. 

• American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (2025). Environmental Engineering Body of Knowledge (2nd ed.). American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Annapolis, Maryland.

Answer: Dr. Oerther offered an early invitation for the profession to contribute to the refresh of the Body of Knolwedge. As one of eight members of the Environmental Engineering Body of Knowlege Second Edition Task Committee, he co-authored EEBOK2. The executive summary of the EEBOK2 specifically includes Oerther’s definition that, “environmental engineers use engineering disciplines in developing solutions to problems of planetary health.” The report highlights: the workforce described in the environmental engineering 3.0 framework; the importance of properly pricing the care penalty in environmental engineering; and the call to expand ethical practice to elevate planetary health on par with the obligation to hold paramount the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The EEBOK2 is available online: download EEBO2 from AAEES; download EEBOK2 from ResearchGate; or download EEBOK2 from Google Drive.

Answer:

• Oerther, D.B., Gautham, L, and Folbre, N. (2022). Environmental Engineering as Care for Human Welfare and Planetary Health. Journal of Environmental Engineering 148 (6), 04022029. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0002013. 

• Oerther, D.B., and Glasglow, M.E. (2022). The Nurse+Engineer as the Prototype V-Shaped Professional. Nursing Outlook 70 (2), 280-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.10.007. 

• Oerther, D.B., and Oerther, S. (2022). Improving Interprofessional Environmental Health Education Using The Leave No One Behind Framework. American Journal of Public Health 112, S250-S252. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.306832. 

• Oerther, D.B. (2022). A Case Study of Community Engaged Design: Creating Parametric Insurance to meet the Safety Needs of Fisherfolk in the Caribbean. Journal of Environmental Engineering 148 (3), 05021008. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001971. 

• Oerther, D.B. (2022). Using Modified Mastery Learning to Teach Sustainability and Life-Cycle Principles as Part of Modeling and Design. Environmental Engineering Science 39 (9), 784-795. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2021.0385. 

• Oerther, D.B., and Oerther, S. (2021). From InterProfessional to Convergence: Nurses Educating V-shaped Professionals. Nurse Education in Practice 53, 103047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103047.

• Oerther, D.B., and Peters, C.A. (2020). Educating Heads, Hands, and Hearts in the COVID-19 Classroom. Environmental Engineering Science 37 (5), 303. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2020.0161. 

• Oerther, D.B., Yoder-Wise, P., and Malone, B. (2020). Identifying Opportunities for Educators to Pursue Collaboration at the Interface of Nursing and Engineering – and a Word of Caution. Journal of Advanced Nursing 76 (4), 920-923.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14291

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Environmental Engineering for the 21st Century: Addressing Grand Challenges. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/25121. 

• Oerthr, D.B., Voth-Gaeddert, L.E., and Divelbiss, D.D. (2019). Improving Environmental Health Practice and Policy Through Convergence Research: A Case Study of Linked Food Water Systems Enhancing Child Health. Environmental Engineering Science 36 (7), 820–832. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2019.0058. 

• Oerther, D.B. (2017). Using Nursing Theory to Improve the Teaching of Engineering Practice. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Columbus, Ohio. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--29084.