SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities, gives a unique angle on sustainability and engineering. While it focuses on the social issue of equality, this goal also addresses environmental sustainability through concepts like life cycle assessment, carbon footprint calculations, and embodied energy. Engineering solutions under SDG 10 could make sustainable technologies more accessible and affordable for underprivileged communities, thereby reducing inequalities. For example, developing low-cost, energy-efficient housing can significantly lower living costs and environmental impact for those in need, aligning with social and ecological objectives.

Participating in the SDG card-picking activity has expanded my view on the role of engineers in solving global challenges. It highlighted the interconnection of social equality and environmental sustainability. Engineers, by integrating SDG 10 with sustainability principles, can drive the creation of solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also equitable and accessible to even underprivileged people. This approach helps to create solutions which are both affordable and sustainable.

Learning about life cycle assessment has opened my eyes to how products affect the environment from start to finish. It's not just about what happens when we use them, but also how they're made, transported, and even thrown away when not used. This understanding will make me think more about designing future products that are kinder to the planet, products that can be used for an extended period in the sense of having a long life so that the product can be used for an extended period and save resources to protect our planet.

For example, think about a plastic water bottle. Its life cycle includes being made (which uses energy), filled up, shipped to stores, used by someone, and finally thrown away in the garbage. Each step has an environmental cost, like pollution and waste. To make it more sustainable, we could innovate by using recycled materials to make the bottles, find more efficient ways to transport them, encourage recycling, or even design a bottle that can be easily reused. This way, we reduce the overall environmental harm and save our planet.

Embodied energy calculations show how much energy it takes to make materials for a project. This can change my chosen materials, and we should choose materials that don't require much power. A big challenge is that these greener materials can sometimes be more expensive or more challenging.

Suppose we are using steel in our project. Knowing its high embodied energy might push me to consider alternatives like recycled steel or a different material that might be more eco-friendly. This could lead to designing things in a new way that uses less material or energy for the project.

I was surprised to learn how much the carbon footprint from driving cars or using buses and trains affects the environment. It made me think more about designing things to use less energy, for example, making more fuel-efficient cars or finding ways to make public transportation a better option for more people.

Understanding the carbon footprint of transportation can influence how we design cars. If we know how much pollution cars cause, we would work to create vehicles that don't pollute much. This can help us live in ways that are better for the planet and reduce our carbon footprint.