From Caladan to Arrakis: Significance of environmental and ecological sustainability of materials

Abstract

In Dune, Paul Atreides travels from his aquatic home planet of Caladan to the desert planet Arrakis with his family. The drastic environmental changes alter the fate of the Dune universe. The author teams also traveled from oceans to deserts in order to explore underestimated environmental impacts and ecological risks in remote areas associated with commonly used historic or conventional materials. Historic materials with chemicals involved have played a pivotal role in the development of human society. However, many historic materials or chemicals, initially praised for their superior material performance, are increasingly recognized as significant sources of environmental pollution that is even reaching remote areas. To address these potential environmental threats, design principles for environmentally friendly materials—emphasizing rapid and safe degradability, low mobility, minimal toxicity, high circularity, and renewable and low-carbon sources—are important for environmental and ecological sustainability.