Green Chemistry and the Ten Commandments of Sustainability, Third Edition

Green Chemistry and the Ten Commandments of Sustainability, Third Edition, is a basic book on green chemistry and environmental sustainability designed for readers who have a need to learn about these topics at a fundamental level. Whereas most works on green chemistry have concentrated on aspects of organic chemical synthesis, this book discusses chemistry as a whole particularly as it relates to the environment and sustainability. In addition to covering green chemistry, the book deals with sustainable science and technology in general. In so doing, it views Earth and its environment as consisting of five highly interactive spheres: (1) The hydrosphere, (2) the atmosphere, (3) the geosphere, (4) the biosphere, (5) and the anthrosphere (that part of Earth’s environment made and operated by humans). Chapter 1, “Sustainability and the Environment,” consists of an introduction to environmental science and the concept of sustainability. Chapter 2, “The Key Role of Chemistry and Making Chemistry Green” outlines the importance and role of chemistry in sustainability, introduces environmental chemistry, and defines green chemistry. The chapter also provides a brief introduction to the most basic aspects of chemistry to aid in understanding chemical concepts in later chapters. Chapters 3 through 7 cover the fundamentals of chemistry from a green chemistry perspective. Chapter 6 is a basic coverage of organic chemistry and Chapter 7 deals with biochemistry as it relates to green chemistry. Chapter 8, “The Five Environmental Spheres and Biogeochemical Cycles,” defines and explains each of these spheres and how they relate and interact through biogeochemical cycles of matter. Chapter 9, “Water, the Ultimate Green Substance,” covers the hydrosphere. It also emphasizes the unique properties of water as related to the structure of the water molecule and explains the important role of water in green technology. Chapter 10, “The Atmosphere: Blue Skies for a Green Environment,” deals with air and the atmosphere, the natural capital provided by the atmosphere, the protective role of the atmosphere, and threats to the atmosphere and climate from activities in the anthrosphere, including the combustion of carbonaceous fuels. Chapter 11, “The Geosphere and a Green Earth,” covers a number of topics related to the geosphere including aspects of geology, natural hazards of the geosphere (volcanoes, earthquakes), natural capital of the geosphere (minerals), and the geosphere as a repository of wastes. Important sections of this chapter discuss soil, how its productive capacity may be lost through erosion and desertification, and how green technology may prevent these harmful effects. Chapter 12, “The Biosphere and the Role of Green Chemistry in Feeding a Hungry World,” begins with a basic coverage of biology as it relates to sustainability and among other topics discusses the production of food and fiber by the biosphere (agriculture). Chapter 13, “The Anthrosphere, Industrial Ecology, and Green Chemistry,” discusses the emerging area of industrial ecology, which treats industrial systems in a manner analogous to natural ecosystems. Chapter 14, “Feeding the Anthrosphere: Utilizing Renewable and Biological Materials,” discusses how feedstocks for manufacturing may be produced sustainably, especially biologically. Biorefineries and their role in biomass utilization are explained. Chapter 15, “Sustainable Energy: The Essential Basis of Green Systems,” explains the key importance of sustainable energy in sustainability. Chapter 16, “Terrorism, Toxicity, and Vulnerability: Green Chemistry and Technology in Defense of Human Welfare,” discusses the role of green chemistry, science, and technology in dealing with terrorist threats. Chapter 17, “The Ten Commandments of Sustainability and Sensible Measures,” gives ten important rules and several "sensible measures" for the achievement of sustainability