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The Chemical Educator
ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 17
(2012) pp 195-202
DOI 10.1007/s00897122445
Predicting Our Global Future
Alexey V. Byalko and George B. Kauffman*
Associate Fellow, Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region; Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the journal Priroda (Nature) of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, alex@byalko.ru;Department of Chemistry, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740-8034, georgek@mail.fresnostate.edu
Published: 28 September 2012
Abstract. It is possible to make a probable prognosis of world development based on the earth’s climate, the world’s population, and the sum of knowledge accumulated by humanity for all its history. The world’s population has increased hyperbolically according to Heinz von Foerster’s law, but because of the present unprecedented problem of climate change, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, primarily coal and oil, we cannot predict the world’s future for more than one generation ahead. The greenhouse effect and the political and economic actions needed to reduce the carbon dioxide content of our atmosphere are discussed.
Key Words: Chemistry and History; greenhouse effect
(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: georgek@mail.fresnostate.edu)
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