Environment, industry and public health are inextricably linked. Environment is of course our home planet Earth, the space in which we live and operate. And its health and condition affect our own wellbeing. The manner in which industry is conducted and the materials used directly affect environment. Thus, our behavior and choices directly affect environment. It becomes a reflection. So the question comes up: Do we want to prioritize our health? Because the earth and its marvelously complex processes sustain us. The elements of nature nourish us, as we are a part of it and very much not in isolation.
This presentation of solutions might seem oversimplified and perhaps it is, but it’s helpful to have to an overarching vision or roadmap. In the words of Carlos Santana, “it takes courage to be happy,” that is, to create a positive constructive vision and to act on what is going well to the best of one’s abilities.
The first categorical solution is Improved Manufacturing Standards. There are far too many known noxious substances and known carcinogens in circulation. This is probably one of the most obvious solutions for public health — if it’s a known hazard, don’t proliferate it. The knowledge of what and what not to use is widely in circulation. And the regularly updated Proposition 65 List is good place to start.
With more research and consideration, the awareness is relatively easy to implement, especially with the aid of emergent technologies such as Machine Learning. Better formulations with lifecycle factored in are entirely realistic. The impulse and even compulsion to make and create are strong, and this is an amazing human quality and one that imbues all life. Perhaps though, intelligence asks now that we be more careful and conscientious. This will set the tone in a way for how to proceed on other worlds, on how to constructively flow with what is there, to use the natural qualities of the environment synergetically instead of unknowing or exploitatively.
What’s the hurry after all? Philosophically and emotionally, perhaps the fear of death and associated nihilism. It’s becoming increasingly apparent though that that too could be skirted through better understanding of and trust in nature. Such death and destruction have most likely been scourges of ignorance, cast as shadows as we step into the light of increased reason, self awareness and true knowledge rather than rote memorization. In this way respect and understanding are linked to longevity.
The next categorical solution is Developmental Discernment. For example, using for a site preexisting development, of which there are many; re-greening, reforesting, and planting a native diversity of edible botanicals and medicinals. That might seem like a tall order but there are already a lot of structures and developed land that could be revamped and repurposed. Here in Boston, the area is already quite urban of course, so new and improved construction can supplant what is already there. As aforementioned, materials and methods matter and make a huge difference on the impact of the surrounding environment. Choice by choice and project by project, contextual planning and thinking will improve the quality of life for all. These two categories so far would take care of many health concerns, namely cancer, the business of which necessarily transform.
Large scale sustainability and process initiatives in manufacturing and development would be majorly impactful. The next two categorical solutions are related, as well as linked to each other: Waste Prevention and Waste Management.
Waste Prevention comes in the form of materials selection and design. The complex chemical synthesis and the good old-fashioned ingenuity exist to create readily biodegradable and compostable substances and products. This would prevent the accumulation of waste that no one should have to live around and amongst. This in turn would uproot one cause of disease. Once again, environmental health and human health are connected.
On the Waste Management side, we can employ our friends and inventors the microorganisms, especially the ones with strange appetites for the likes of plastic and radioactive waste — and not “one day.” This is one relatively low tech solution that can be implemented now. The byproducts of baterial digestion are often beneficial like oxygen. There are other solutions that are promising like novel chemistries, however this would be efficient and could make use of existing infrastructure.
The combined effect of these four categorical solutions would be tremendous. It is the intent here to be encouraging and offer an approachable vision.