Over the last 2000 years engineers have battled with nature by means of mining and infrastructure works including the use of horsepower, canals, railways and other forms of power. During the Industrial Revolution many industries functioned with workers forced to operate under severe conditions and without realising the extent of the damage being caused by pollution of the environment leading to serious increase in global temperatures. Over recent years scientists have alerted us to the damage which has been caused to our lands, rivers and seas, and the need to take urgent action to save our planet.