The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance

Name: The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance
Price: 6.50 USD
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Rating: 4.6 (120 reviews)

4.6 of 5 Stars: Earth Sciences - The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance

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Book Synopsis: The New York Times best-selling author on the source of great bounty—and now great peril—all over the world.

Phosphorus has played a critical role in some of the most lethal substances on earth: firebombs, rat poison, nerve gas. But it’s also the key component of one of the most vital: fertilizer, which has sustained life for billions of people. In this major work of explanatory science and environmental journalism, Pulitzer Prize finalist Dan Egan investigates the past, present, and future of what has been called “the oil of our time.”

The story of phosphorus spans the globe and vast tracts of human history. First discovered in a seventeenth-century alchemy lab in Hamburg, it soon became a highly sought-after resource. The race to mine phosphorus took people from the battlefields of Waterloo, which were looted for the bones of fallen soldiers, to the fabled guano islands off Peru, the Bone Valley of Florida, and the sand dunes of the Western Sahara. Over the past century, phosphorus has made farming vastly more productive, feeding the enormous increase in the human population. Yet, as Egan harrowingly reports, our overreliance on this vital crop nutrient is today causing toxic algae blooms and “dead zones” in waterways from the coasts of Florida to the Mississippi River basin to the Great Lakes and beyond. Egan also explores the alarming reality that diminishing access to phosphorus poses a threat to the food system worldwide—which risks rising conflict and even war.

With The Devil’s Element, Egan has written an essential and eye-opening account that urges us to pay attention to one of the most perilous but little-known environmental issues of our time.

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Discover the untold story of an element that holds both great bounty and great peril! The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance, written by New York Times best-selling author, Dan Egan, takes you on a journey through history and science to uncover the fascinating secrets behind phosphorus. From firebombs to fertilizers, this crucial element has shaped our world in unimaginable ways.

In this groundbreaking book, Egan explores the global impact of phosphorus and its pivotal role in sustaining life. This investigative masterpiece delves into the past, present, and future of what has been dubbed "the oil of our time." From the bloody battlefields of Waterloo to the guano islands of Peru, Egan unveils the captivating tale of how mankind raced to mine this valuable resource.

Phosphorus has revolutionized agriculture, allowing for exponential growth in food production to feed a rapidly expanding population. However, Egan delivers a chilling wake-up call on the dangers of our overreliance on this essential nutrient. Toxic algae blooms and "dead zones" are cropping up across waterways worldwide, threatening ecosystems and the very sustainability of our food system.

With its bold and thought-provoking narrative, The Devil's Element serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the environmental crisis surrounding phosphorus. Don't miss out on this eye-opening account that highlights one of the most critical issues of our time. Act now to secure your copy and join the movement towards a more sustainable future.

Get your copy of The Devil's Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance today and embark on a journey that will change your perspective on the world around you. It's time to take action and protect the planet we call home.

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