Chemical engineering for the Anthropocene

Abstract The environmental and resource crises that confront human life on earth demand changes to the whole socio‐economic metabolic system. will affect all aspects of life, including practice chemical engineering. historical association profession with fossil carbon economy means expertise makes up engineering must be re‐examined repurposed urgently if discipline is play a full role in transition. In this article, we review development identify its unique features find ways which it can change meet challenge. A pattern 30‐year cycles revealed, showing way has built by incorporating approaches from other disciplines also developing set skills knowledge. Chemical as taught needs prepare graduates operate under kind social contract embodied declarations professional bodies. We propose comprising applied ‘just transition’ less unsustainable society, new plant process design applications ‘outside pipe’ modelling industrial ecology. unsustainability crisis results history poor public private decisions, so examination different types decisions timely. Specific roles for engineers deliberative decision processes are identified, enhanced emphasis risk precaution.