Sigma Xi Seminar: The Transition to a Lower Carbon Based Economy – The effect on Agriculture and Key Materials for an Industrialized Society

Sigma Xi Seminar – presented by Dr. Peter David Clark Oil, natural gas and coal not only energize an industrialized economy but also provide all raw materials for agriculture and construction. For agriculture, fossil fuel provides the most crucial fertilizers as well as the energy to mechanize its operation and distribution systems. Steel and cement, without which it is difficult to envisage a modern society, cannot be made at the required scale without coal or oil residua. Interestingly, a wind turbine relies completely on fossil fuel for its construction. The same story is true for nuclear reactors and solar panels. This lecture will discuss these issues and present a road map for future development of the World’s most important industry, agriculture, at least in terms of fertilization and large scale mechanization (steel). This analysis shows that natural gas, oil sands and other heavy oils will be needed in the future lower carbon economy because of the materials these energy sources provide. Thursday 18th February at 4:00 pm in Biological Sciences room 211 Sponsored by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, Members and Non-members welcome

Location:

Biological Sciences Room 211

Speaker:

Dr. Peter David Clark: Professor Emeritus and Faculty Professor in Faculty of Science

More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/sigma-xi-seminar-transition-lower-carbon-based-economy-effect-agriculture-and-key-materials