Peter-Jörg Kuhnel The technical ingenuity of humanity has aimed from the very beginning to make life on this planet initially productive, then easier, and ultimately increasingly comfortable. The work of engineers and craftsmen has resulted in both beneficial and destructive outcomes. Until the middle of the last century, people managed in harmony with the Earth's resources and the regenerative capacity of nature. As a result of the successes of another discipline, supported by engineering knowledge, the field of medical science, life expectancy for individuals has increased remarkably over the last 150 years. The result is an unprecedented population explosion. The pressure this has created on the resources and regenerative capabilities of nature has disrupted the balance between.