In roughly two centuries, people learned to make materials and compounds at a scale nature never had. Many improved life enormously. Some also changed the chemistry of the air, water and soil around us.
Go deeper · background, sources and Glen’s perspective
Glen’s perspective
The book's central question
"What did industrialization change?" Dire Straits — Volume I explores that question across water, land and waste, combustion and commerce, metals, and the bridge from environment to physiology.
Background research
Acid deposition, in brief
Burning fossil fuels releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that can return to the ground as acid rain, affecting soils, lakes and streams.