This question was ask privately via email. We are sharing here for the benefit of all students currently working on the challenge.
Question:
The Water and Sanitation group (Mermaids) has a question about the cultural and long term considerations of the EWB project 2025 on Saibai Island.
The consideration in question is that the Island is affected by the rise in sea level, and having the issue that the community will be affected in the next 30-50 years, possibly causing the island to become inhabitable.
Our main question is “do we include this information and consideration in our research considering the cultural effects that may come with this?” Through empathising with the Saibai Island community, speaking about the issues with rising sea level and possible inhabitation can be a problem due to understanding what the community think and feel.
Our research requires a lifespan and suitable material for water tanks which can be affected by the question due to either ignoring the issue and finding the longest lifespan water tank, or understanding the lifespan needed for the island and knowing that it may only need to last 50 years and possibly having cheaper or different materials, but including the cultural issues that may come with this decision.
Answer:
Hello team Mermaid,
By asking these sorts of questions, you’ve already achieved some of the aims of the EWB Challenge. The essence of the Challenge and trying to develop solutions with complex ethical dilemmas is what we want students to really consider.
In short, “do we include this information and consideration in our research considering the cultural effects that may come with this?” – the answer is Yes.
Cheers,
Anthony
Anthony Brady.
Anthony Brady