The Carbon Age: How Life's Core Element Has Become Civilization's Greatest Threat - Hardcover

Roston, Eric

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802715575 ISBN 13: 9780802715579

Publisher: Walker Books, 2008

Synopsis

The story of carbon―the building block of life that is, ironically, humanity's great threat .
It could be said that all of us are a little alien―our bodies' carbon atoms first shot forth from supernovas billions of years ago and far, far away. Carbon has always been the ubiquitous architect and chemical scaffolding of life and civilization; indeed, all living things draw carbon from their environments to stay alive, and the great cycle by which carbon moves through organisms, ground, water, and atmosphere has long been a kind of global respiration system that helps keep Earth in balance. And yet, when we hear the word today, it is more often than not in a crisis context: carbon dioxide emissions have sped up the carbon cycle; chlorofluorocarbons are destroying the ozone layer and warming the planet; the volatile Middle East explodes atop its stores of volatile hydrocarbons; carbohydrates threaten obesity and diabetes.
In The Carbon Age, Eric Roston evokes this essential element, its journey illuminating history from the Big Bang to modern civilization. Charting the science of carbon―how it was formed, how it came to Earth and built up―he chronicles the often surprising ways mankind has used it over centuries, and the growing catastrophe of the industrial era, leading us to now attempt to wrestle the Earth's geochemical cycle back from the brink. Blending the latest science with original reporting, Roston makes us aware, as never before, of the seminal impact carbon has, and has had, on our lives.

About this title

About the Author

Eric Roston covered technology, international trade, and energy issues at Time magazine for six years and contributed to Time's special issue about September 11, which won a National Magazine Award in 2002. This is his first book. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and daughter.

Review

“The story of carbon is our story, of course. It's an exciting journey--from cyanobacteria through the old and new gingko tree, to the intellectual wonder of organic synthesis, and our dangerous romance with the internal combustion engine. Eric Roston is a super storyteller!” ―Roald Hoffmann, Frank H.T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters at Cornell University and 1981 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

“In order to understand the issue of climate change--or, for that matter, almost any issue relating to energy and life--it's necessary to understand carbon. Fortunately, it's an absolutely fascinating element, as Eric Roston shows in this delightful book. His narrative is a wonderful way to relish some basic science as well as understand some of the most profound policy issues we face.” ―Walter Isaacson, CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of Einstein: His Life and Universe

“With delightful verve and zest, Roston explores the awesomely cornucopian roles of carbon, ranging from cosmic to cellular, from climate to cancer. He also makes a compelling case that human destiny and carbon are now inextricably coupled.” ―Dudley Herschbach, 1986 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

“If you thought oxygen was important, wait till you read this brilliantly researched tale of carbon, the element that makes possible diamonds, the ‘lead' in your pencil, even ‘you'-- and the element that is likely to occupy many headlines in the years ahead because we can't live without it and we may not be able to live with it.” ―Norm Augustine, former chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and chairman of the study, Rising Above the Gathering Storm

“Carbon, the citizen king of elements, governs who we are and what life is--but the king is going mad! Citizens, revolt against the despots, or all may be lost!” ―James E. Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

“A most accessible and thoroughly enjoyable way to gain real insight into a series of profoundly important subjects including, notably, the hellish risks we now face with climate change. I liked this book and plan to read it again.” ―James Gustave Speth, dean of Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and author of The Bridge at the Edge of the World

“Eric Roston provides an unparalleled tour of carbon's role in life. This is a journey that every reader will find surprising and thoroughly enjoyable.” ―Richard A. Meserve, President of the Carnegie Institution for Science

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0802715575
• ISBN 13: 9780802715579
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320