Towards equilibrium engineering

Abstract

Until thoughtful people work together to produce a vision of a world in which humanity lives in permanent stable equilibrium with the ecosphere we shall continue to destroy it. The contribution required from engineers to this stable system is vitally important because there are far too many people in the world for us to emulate the nomadic societies that lived in stable equilibrium for thousands of years without engineering. Moreover the human needs for education, science and culture are vital. Hence we have to develop an "equilibrium engineering" that will enable 8 billion people to have the opportunity to earn all the benefits of the industrial revolution in permanent dynamic equilibrium with the ecosphere. The paper develops guidelines for the use in 'equilibrium engineering' of electricity and other forms of energy for domestic, industrial and transport purposes.