In human thermodynamics, sustainability thermodynamics is the use of thermodynamics models in development of sustainability theories.
History
In 1971, American physical chemist Stephen Berry, in his “The Option for Survival”, argued that in order to understand ‘survival’ one must use a thermodynamics view on the premise that people must recycle waste while the thermodynamic potential is still moderately high. [1]
In 1989, Swedish physician Karl-Henrik Robert outlined a thermodynamics sustainability model; which in 1991 evolved into a thermodynamics-structured “natural step” theory of societal sustainability. [2]
In 2012, during a lunch conversation with American electrochemical engineer Libb Thims, Iranian-born American chemical engineer Ali Mansoori commented that he was thinking about writing a book on sustainability, in a thermodynamics context.
References
1. Berry, R. Stephen. (1972). “Recycling, Thermodynamics, and Environmental Thrift.” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, May, pgs. 8-15.
2. (a) Robèrt, K.H. (1991). "Educating A Nation: The Natural Step." In Context 28:10.
(b) The Natural Step – Wikipedia.
