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CONVENIENT MYTHS
the green revolution —
perceptions, politics, and facts

book cover

by Klaus L.E. Kaiser, is the first clearly written, comprehensive book looking at the green desires and expectations and juxtaposing these with the physical and chemical facts and realities.

CONVENIENT MYTHS explains in common terms why many of these green ideas will remain myths and dreams. The laws of nature cannot be broken. No matter how much we may desire the opposite.

Keywords / Chapters:


Climate change, global warming, IPCC, government, media, propaganda, deficit, inflation, earthquakes, volcanos, pollution, ice ages, greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, sea ice, Arctic, polar bears, seals, whales, energy, temperature, cod, salmon, El Nino, hurricanes, typhoons, earth, freshwater, deforestation, physics, chemistry, biology, freshwater, aquifers, desalination, disinfection, fluoridation, air, ozone, smog, acid rain, crude oil, coal, natural gas, electric power, electric cars, fossil fuels, natural gas, nuclear, geothermal, heat pump, wave power, osmosis, wind, solar energy, biofuels, ethanol, engine, hybrid, hydrogen, light, food, organic, genetically modified, fish, contaminants, sun, radiation, light, X-rays, weather, droughts, floods, diseases, longevity, cancer, Alzheimer's, malaria, progress


Book Excerpts

Some Chemistry

In North America, the widespread perception of chemistry is one of fear and suspicion. The media have done little to change this view and are more likely to reinforce it with innuendos and reports of problems caused by chemicals, from personal use to industrial accidents. Advertisements for products claiming to be "free of chemicals," and similar statements are commonplace. Instead, "natural" products, "organic" lotions and the like are offered as superior alternatives. Who knows what the alchemist in the painting by C.P. Bega, shown in in the figure below, was concocting?

In some high school curricula, the teaching of chemistry is limited and not designed to generate interest in the subject. Many students forego learning any chemistry altogether, and take courses perceived to be a lesser evil. As an unfortunate consequence, many bright politicians lack even the most rudimentary knowledge of the field. The opposite is true as well. Few trained chemists ever enter politics or public life. One notable exception was Margaret Thatcher, a former Prime Minister of England.

Compared to North America, in European and Asian countries the science of chemistry has a much greater public reputation. Chemistry is recognized as an important component of an industrialized nation. The professional associations of chemists in these countries have political clout as well....

 

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Copyright © 2010-2023, Klaus L.E. Kaiser. All Rights Reserved.