ABSTRACT
Sustainability has been a topic since the 1960s. Chapter 2 reviews the history and current sustainability principles and how they can be used as primary engineering requirements. I propose that transition engineering take a new perspective by looking at the problems of unsustainability. This new perspective starts with identifying carrying capacity and constraints. The mathematical models for growth are given, and the problems of sustainability that relate to energy are discussed. Population, water and food, and the problem of lifestyle expectations are examined by using the US biofuel mandates. Mineral depletion and mining, particularly for energy-related materials, are examined as is recycling.
