Political Science 1020E Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Transitional Fossil, Overgrazing, Human Power
24 Jul 2016
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Thomas midgely (american research chemist, worked with gm, he had more impact on atmosphere than an other single organism in the history of our planet) He invented leaded gasoline ("ethyl") to get rid of knocking and improve engine running. Great refrigerant but it destroys the ozone layer! He got polio but died in his bed strangled by the ropes to get him in and out of his bed. Trying to do good and improve prospects for humanity, but his actions had unintended consequences. Impacts to natural habitats: forests are disappearing, causes: wildfires, deforestation, agriculture, over-grazing. Biological diversity: the effects of the food chain missing link. Energy sources: oil, natural gas, coal -- we will run out. Alien species: non-native species that disrupt native ecosystems. Atmospheric gases: carbon dioxide, burning of fossil fuels, and firewood all bad for the atmosphere, production of methane is bad, these all lead to climate change, most monumental challenge our species has ever faced.
