Development of Environmentally Sustainable Materials

Abstract

This chapter examines environmentally sustainable materials from a standpoint that might be said to be deeply ecological as it advocates for the increased use of sustainability metrics in assessing evaluations of materials' "greenness." As such, the discussion begins by examining different paradigms of environmental sustainability, and in the context of lead use and contamination, a current environmental issue. The use of sustainability metrics is discussed, segueing into identification of the two major drivers of environmental damage (fossil fuel consumption and agriculture). Subsequently, examples of interesting environmental materials are discussed: One section is devoted to materials that increase efficiency of energy use, and another section discusses the reduction of damage from agriculture via materials engineering that will enable less land use and thereby promote ecological recovery. A final section on materials development comes full circle in considering the possibility of peak metals and innovative electronic technologies that may someday be extensible to reducing the needed circuits in buildings. In closing, the fundamental tension between technology and materials' consumption is considered in the context of Jevon's paradox as a cautionary note regarding the development of sustainable materials and the need for strong sustainability and deep ecological wisdom.