Sub-title: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going
This book is described as "an essential analysis of modern science and technology" and what science can and cannot do. I enjoyed reading the author's explanation of complex interaction of what he identifies as the "four pillars of modern civilization" - 1) ammonia (because of its importance in creating nitrogen fertilizers), 2) plastics, 3) steel and 4) concrete. He makes a convincing argument that because our modern civilization could not function without these nor will we be able to eliminate or replace them in the near future, we are unlikely to see a resolution of issues with food production and climate change.
I'd hoped for an inspiring prediction of how these issues could be solved but there was no such conclusion. It was a sobering read.
Quote:
"Marine Traffic website ...for tracking worldwide shipping and aviation traffic."
[Regarding the future of food production] "...and reduced meat consumption would be the single-most important adjustment as it would lower the need for producing feed grains..."
Published: 2022 Read: August 2022 Genre: Science, Philosophy
