BIO 301M Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Logistic Function, Solar Water Heating, Net Reproduction Rate
Document Summary
American prosperity depends on their continuing availability but world supplies can"t keep up. In early 1900s when natural fertilizers such as bat and bird guano began to run low, 2 industrious germans invented haber-bosch process. Allowed production of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and water by burning it at a high temperature w the natural gas methane. When combined w nitrogen the resulting ammonium nitrate can be used both as a fertilizer and an explosive. Rescued agriculture, which depends on supply of fertilizers, thus feeding humans. Now everything depends on fossil fuels and these will soon be exhausted. Greed is a human instinct that drives us to allow short term financial returns to override long term prospects. Economic system depends on growth growing forever. We need to run away from greed. Fuel shortfalls will lead to food shortages and higher prices, deepen recession and lead to depression.
