Industrial Ecology and the Geoenvironment - Sustainable Practices in Geoenvironmental Engineering - page 109

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Industrial Ecology and the Geoenvironment
4.1 Introduction
Chapter 1 pointed out that the geoenvironment is an essential resource base that directly
and indirectly provides the essential elements of life support for humankind and other liv-
ing species. The different industries and associated activities undertaken, e.g., agroindus-
try, mining, forestry, manufacturing, energy, service industries, to respond to the needs
and demands of humankind and other living species are therefore dependent on the
health of the geoenvironment. Considering industry to be the primary driver for the vari-
ous life-support systems needed to sustain life, it stands to reason that one needs to ensure
that activities associated with industry do not materially degrade the geoenvironment.
Industrialization, as commonly deined, is the process whereby industry becomes a dom-
inant component in a socioeconomic order. The term industry is used here in the broadest
sense to mean the work undertaken (in a plant or facility) to produce goods using machines and/
or technological aids . A vital component of industrialization is the group of industries called
manufacturing industries . These industries are essential to the health of the economy and to
the life-support systems of a vibrant society. However, it is contended that many industrial
activities conlict with the goals of a sustainable geoenvironment, a contention that arises
from the perception that (a) nonrenewable natural resources (materials and energy) are
required to fuel the engine of industry , (b) nonrenewable source materials are used in the
production or manufacture of goods, and (c) the smokestack emissions and discharge of
liquid and solid wastes from these industries are harmful to both human health and the
environment (Figure 4.1).
There are two particular geoenvironment milestones that need to be observed in respect
to industry and its activities: (1) exploitation of renewable and nonrenewable natural
resources housed in the geoenvironment must be conducted with suficient prudence so as
not to degrade the geoenvironment and also so as to allow future generations to continue
to beneit from these resources (see Chapter 1); and (2) the discharge of waste products
into the geoenvironment should not cause harm to the geoenvironment (see Chapter 2).
In short, one must be conscious of the need to protect the geoenvironment and to ensure
that its natural capital continues to be maintained, i.e., the functionality and health of the
various constituents, compartments, elements, and units be preserved.
The discussion in this chapter concerns the geoenvironment and its role in the industrial
activities mounted to provide for the needs of humankind and other living species. We
will consider the interactions on the geoenvironment by activities associated with manu-
facturing and service industries. Since the purview of this topic addresses resource use
from the geoenvironment framework and not from the industry perspective, we will con-
centrate our attention on the land aspects of geoenvironment problems posed by industry .
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