Climater Change, Food Security, and Fossil Fuels

The article titled "Food fight", written by Sally Brown, sets out to show the importance of carbon and its role in climate change, food security, and the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels. The author begins the article by explaining the significance of carbon basics and why this element is so important.

The author's explanation of carbon basics supports several concepts presented in the text. Some important facts about carbon include the following: carbon derives from the Latin word for charcoal and is the fourth most abundant element in the universe. It is the basis for organic chemistry and is an essential element that occurs in every living organism. Carbon is a naturally abundant nonmetal. It can bond with itself and a lot of other chemical elements that can form millions of compounds (Chang, 2007). Amorphous (soot), diamond and graphite are three naturally occurring allotropes of carbon. Carbon compounds have numerous uses, some of which include: radiocarbon dating; carbon steel; printing ink; diamond is used for jewelry, drilling, cutting and polishing; graphite is used in pencils and as a lubricant; and charcoal is used to remove toxins and odors. Carbon is also a component of fossil fuels, natural gas, crude oil (petroleum), gasoline, kerosene, and carbon monoxide/dioxide. Graphite carbon is used as charcoal for grilling and artwork. Carbon has the highest melting point and the highest thermal conductivity (in diamond form) of any element. While pure carbon has low toxicity, inhalation of carbon black dust can damage the lungs.

The author mentions that carbon is special because its properties can change based on how many electrons it has what it is bonded to, and the nature of the bonds. She states that when an individual releases carbon, much of it is exhaled as carbon dioxide and the remaining is used for energy. The author goes on to states that carbon plagues us as carbon dioxide; carbon feeds us as carbohydrates, sugars and proteins and it fuels us as petroleum products; carbon keeps our food fresh as plastic wrap; and carbon is used in colorful fingernail polish as phthalates. She also states that "carbon is special because it has an incredible range of properties. Its properties change so dramatically based on how many electrons it has, what its bonded to and the nature of those bonds" (Brown, 2012). Photosynthesis is the only thing that can bring carbon down to earth as a solid form. Plants do this by using the suns energy and plants use the carbon to grow and turn it into leaves, flowers and roots. "The carbon that is brought down from the sky from the energy of the sun is known as fixed carbon" (Brown, 2012).

The article then goes on to talk about food security and fossil fuels; fixed carbon is important for food security and the diminishing supply of fossil fuels. She states that we eat food to get energy and mass and we eat plant or animals that have grown by eating