Real world contexts and problems — such as designing sustainable energy systems, bio-medical engineering,
maintaining biodiversity in areas where conflicts arise between
local and global needs — demand knowledge, concepts and skills from several disciplines.
Some of his suggestions for
local planning initiatives include: Preserve wetlands by passing
local wetlands protection laws;
maintain biodiversity in the Hudson Valley by protecting sensitive lands through land acquisition; refrain from building in flood plains; require all new building to be «green» and sustainable and, ideally, change
local building codes to require LEED certification; switch all public and government buildings to energy suppliers that provide wind and solar options as alternatives; implement smart growth communities by keeping construction in areas that are already developed thus preserving green corridors; and support cap - and - trade laws to decrease CO2 levels.