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NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

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Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems. Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are
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CAREERTIPS: What is the difference between various Engineering Degrees?

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Nester Mokhojane a Built Environment Professional who is in both Academia and Consulting shares MY CAREERTIPS  with Herve-Noel Kimpwene a BTech Structural Engineering graduate who made an observation that a lot of students often confuse or unaware of the differences between different Engineering degrees.

What is the difference between a Bsc, a BEng and a B-Tech?

The biggest separator between the three degrees is in my view the reliance on practical, technical and theoretical content in the curriculum of each. The difference between BSc and BEng is its viewpoint. Bachelor of Science includes mainly science subjects that are more general, while BEng covers subjects that are more centered around engineering. Also, BSc is more theoretical based, while BEng is more practical based. 

To elaborate a little bit more on this, B. Tech deals with the in-depth practicality of the concepts of engineering and has more technical aspects in the curriculum. BEng is a bit more theoretical and more emphasis is given to the theoretical concepts rather than practical knowledge. 

Both BTech and BEng are of 4 years duration. BSc is 3 years duration and dives into the depth of theoretical concepts. Where the content of the courses of BTech and BEng are designed specifically for engineering students, BSc curriculum is more general. BSc can be considered to be the non-technical side of the technical concepts of engineering.

How does the route you take affect your career? 

A burning issue right now in the industry is that depending on which of the 3 degrees one pursues, those that undertake the BSc and BEng degrees are eligible to register as Professional Engineers with ECSA. Those that undertake the BTech route are eligible to register as Professional Engineering Technologists.

ALSO READ CAREERTIPS:  How does a young graduate work towards his passion for Structural Engineering?

Can one move from one to the other? 

There is currently a fierce debate around whether those that register as Technologists can later on cross over to be registered Engineers. In my experience it really doesn't matter whether one is a technologist or an engineer as I have come across many technologists who operate at a much higher level than engineers due to the exposure on very complex engineering projects and experience gained.

Why the confusion and why aren't we well informed on the subject? 

The confusion is because we do not understand what is the purpose and intention of the BSc, the BEng or the BTech. All 3 have vast similarities and very striking differences. All 3 can co-exist as they complement one another depending on the context. A practical example would be one can't wish to be an Resident Engineer/Site Agent on a site and have a BSc, a BTech would be better suited due to the practical side of it. 

On the other hand if one chooses to be a designer, then a BSc/BEng would be better suited than a BTech. However, as previously mentioned, I have come across individuals with BTechs who are excellent designers, more than those with a BSc/BEng. To me exposure to right projects and the willingness to learn and adapt to all engineering requirements (design and construction) are always the determining factors that breed excellent engineers or technologists.

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