Green Chemistry and the Ten Commandments

Chap. 14. The Ten Commandments of Sustainability 355

Structures  used    for

manufacturing,

commerce,

and other

activities

Dwellings

                                                                                Utilities,

                                including   water,

fuel,   and electricity

distribution    systems,

and waste   collection

                            systems,    (sewers)

Transport-

tation  systems,

including   railroads,

airports,   and water-

ways    constructed or

modified    for water

transport

Food

production

systems,

including   culti-

vated   fields,

irrigation  systems,

and animal  feedlots

Machines    of  var-

ious    kinds,  includ-ing  automobiles,

farm    machin-

ery,    and air-planes

                                                                                                Structures

                                                    and devices used

            for communications,

                        such    as  telephone

                                    lines   and radio

                                            transmitter

                                                            towers

                                    Mines,

oil wells,  and

    other   structures

            used    by  extractive

                        industries

Anthro-

sphere

Figure 14.2. The anthrosphere is a multifaceted system designed and constructed by humans.

The anthrosphere can be designed and operated in a positive way to improve and
enhance the other environmental spheres. For example, modern earth-moving equipment
with its capacity to move enormous amounts of material, though largely used in the
past in ways that harmed the environment, can be employed positively to modify the
geosphere surface in ways that will enhance the biosphere. Some specific examples of
things that can be done are the following:

• Restoration of topsoil in areas depleted of this resource by poor farming
  practices or by contamination by wastes and pollutants


• Construction of wetlands that can serve to restore wastewater to a quality
  enabling its release to the environment


• Terracing land to prevent water erosion of soil


• Pumping water underground to restore depleted aquifers