Abstract: The contribution redefines the concept of “terraforming” and the basically technical term “water works” from a sociological interpretation of metabolism: since human reproduction emancipated from mere participation from nature, it became, at least, a systematic transformation of nature. Irrigation and drainage became the twin brothers of agriculture and mining, the most important modifiers of both metabolism and nature itself. From the early “hydraulic” toward modern “industrial” societies, the systemic conditions of reproduction evolved hand in hand with accompanying social dynamics. The regulation of large rivers was and still is impossible without complementary social integration; industry as regulation of work flows was and still is impossible without division of labor and, thus, of social stratification. Both the systemic conditions of reproduction and the social dynamics of stratification will be analyzed along two lines of “water works”: (1)strip mining of brown coal and (2) dam building. Apart from intended effects (like economic growth, energy and water supply), both activities transformed large areas of Germany and initiated longlasting sideeffects of what may be called “terraforming”. Strip mining stands for negative terraforming in terms of turning earth into unlivable conditions, whereas most reservoirs represent a positive terraforming in terms of turning earth into more livable conditions. Both activities started with unwanted social effects: large scale resettlements, loss of homeland and habitats, loss of area under cultivation and of jobs. Many projects were questioned and refused, rarely accepted although made strongly attractive by government and companies. Today, most reservoirs are perceived positively, almost as natural in terms of leisure and relaxation, whereas the exploited mining fields were seen as ecological damage and waste lands needing billions for revitalization and rehabilitation. Further working of strips is strictly opposed and hardly to get through (like Garzweiler II), which highlights the importance of “risk taking” and “risk acceptance” as political powers and social capital. As “interest” and “involvement” are the positive dynamics of both, political powers on the collective level and social capital on the individual level, become visible. People who accept risks and are interested in innovation, tend to underscore the “chances” of change, whereas their opponents underscore the dangers of change. Thus, without a certain amount of risk taking and risk acceptance society will stagnate. Change then appears as threat and risky in itself. Above a certain level, however, society will turn into carelessness and daredevilry, which may become a risk on the level of international politics and create a climate of irresponsibility on the level of social relationship.

Key words: social dynamics, terraforming, water works, Germany