In recent years, thermodynamics has been applied in a number of new fields leading to a greater societal impact. This paper gives a survey of these new fields and the reasons why these applications are important. In addition, it is shown that the number of fields could be even greater in the future and could lead to savings in human effort, use of land and water and of energy and natural resources. Achieving these savings is a contribution to a sustainable society. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.