From machine-like cities pulsing with roads, electricity grids and waste systems, to industrial-scale farming and GMOs, to chemical manipulation and annihilation of biodiversity, to climate change itself, the world is now—like never before—being physically made, destroyed and remade by humans and their technology. Yet who, if anyone, controls the development and use of technology?

Focusing on the most widespread and persistent technology–chemicals–this groundbreaking volume peels apart the technology debate to look at the relationship between humans, technology and the earth. In addition to focusing on chemical technology and regulation in detail, the book provides a broad penetrating analysis and much-needed clarity and insight into the central science and technology debates at the heart of academic study, risk analysis and mitigation, as well as addressing the domestic and international law, regulation and policy that govern technology and thus our relationship with the material world. This book is vital, thought-provoking reading for everyone in science and technology research, development and study, business and industry and government and civil society involved in any way with using or perhaps abusing technology.