Molecules

The annual meeting of the International Molecular Association was held in Yangon, Burma. This year special concentration on molecules consisting of two elements was featured. The heading was “what is this thing called global warming all about and what is the molecular role?”

Seminars of interest included: “now that we have more elements does this mean we will have more molecules?”; “Is water the grandfather molecule of them all?”; “What is the least significant molecule of them all?”; and “Is the science of chemistry the most important of all sciences?”

As always there was ample time for socializing and entertainment. During one informal gathering a methane molecule and a carbon dioxide molecule had a great conversation about their various roles and what did they have in common, if anything?

Readers will know that a methane molecule is made up of one carbon element and four elements of hydrogen. A carbon dioxide molecule consists of one carbon element and two elements of oxygen.

Methane molecule said my origin is the same as all fossil fuels and i am more frequently called natural gas. You will know my significance in the energy world for heating and for the generation of steam used for producing electricity. What about you carbon dioxide?

My contribution is absolutely critical to life on planet earth. I provide the essential ingredient to the growth of all plant life everywhere. Popularly known as photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. Glucose provides food for plant life.

Both molecules were astounded to discover their joint effort sustain life everywhere. If there was no methane there would be no carbon dioxide and if were not for carbon dioxide there would be no plant life. Methane qualified his contribution by observing that his role was part of a family of additional molecules commonly called fossil fuels.

Other carbon dioxide molecules joined the conversation  pointing out that they originated from sources other than fossil fuels including the combustion of all organics, volcanos, and animal breath.

The miracle of photosynthesis now comes into play by employing the carbon dioxide molecule to produce glucose and water as nourishment to produce plant life. When there is more carbon dioxide than consumed then the molecule has a nasty habit of acting like a blanket by capturing the radiant energy that would otherwise not stay in the atmosphere.

What do we have then….global warming which is disrupting all manner of processes in earth’s air and water.

An obvious conclusion…too much product of combustion and less plant life.

Molecules now understand the science of global warming. Unfortunately a combination of deniers, an industry that needs to participate in reducing carbon dioxide, a world that needs to lower energy produced from fossil fuels, and politicians whose careers are threatened by promoting lower carbon dioxide emissions.

We have created a system that defies a solution.

To quote from Shakespeare’s hamlet “we are indeed hoisted on our own petard”.