Petrochemical America

Synopsis

In fall 2012, the hardcover edition of this book was released to critical acclaim and received several awards, including the 2013 American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award for its innovative collaborative approach and design. Now available in a smaller, more afford - able paperback edition, Petrochemical America features Richard Misrach's haunting photo-graphic record of Louisiana's Chemical Corridor, accompanied by landscape architect Kate Orff 's Ecological Atlas-a series of "speculative drawings" developed through research and mapping of data from the region. Their joint effort depicts and unpacks the complex cultural, physical, and economic ecologies along 150 miles of the Mississippi River, from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, an area of intense chemical production that first garnered public attention as "Cancer Alley" when unusual occurrences of cancer were discovered in the region. This collaboration has resulted in an unprecedented, multilayered document presenting a unique narrative of visual information. Petrochemical America offers in-depth analysis of the causes of decades of environmental abuse along the largest river system in North America. Even more critically, the project offers an extensively researched guidebook to the ways in which the petrochemical industry has permeated every facet of contemporary life. What is revealed over the course of the book, however, is that Cancer Alley-although complicated by its own regional histories and particularities-may well be an apt metaphor for the global impact of petrochemicals on the human landscape as a whole.

Summary

Chapter 1: The First Petroleum Revolution

* Summary: This chapter traces the origins of petrochemical production in the United States from its beginnings in the mid-19th century to the rise of the industry after World War II.
* Real Example: The development of the first gasoline-powered engine by Rudolf Diesel in 1893 created a surge in demand for gasoline, stimulating the search for new sources of fuel.

Chapter 2: petrochemical expansion

* Summary: This chapter examines the post-World War II boom in petrochemical production, fueled by government policies, technological innovations, and increasing consumer demand.
* Real Example: The development of the catalytic cracking process in the 1930s revolutionized the refining of crude oil and allowed for the production of higher-octane gasoline and a wider range of petrochemical products.

Chapter 3: petrochemical Complexes

* Summary: This chapter focuses on the emergence of petrochemical complexes, massive industrial facilities that integrated the production of multiple petrochemical products.
* Real Example: The construction of the Shell Oil Chemical Plant in Deer Park, Texas, in 1950 became one of the first petrochemical complexes in the United States and set the model for future developments.

Chapter 4: petrochemical giants

* Summary: This chapter examines the rise of petrochemical giants, such as Dow Chemical, DuPont, and Union Carbide, who dominated the industry through mergers and acquisitions.
* Real Example: Dow Chemical's acquisition of Union Carbide in 1999 created one of the largest petrochemical companies in the world.

Chapter 5: petrochemical pollution

* Summary: This chapter explores the environmental impact of petrochemical production, including air and water pollution, hazardous waste disposal, and the release of greenhouse gases.
* Real Example: The 1963 environmental disaster in Port Arthur, Texas, highlighted the dangers associated with petrochemical pollution and led to increased government regulation.

Chapter 6: petrochemical Exports

* Summary: This chapter discusses the growth of petrochemical exports and the transformation of the United States from a net importer to a net exporter.
* Real Example: The construction of the world's largest ethylene production facility in Port Arthur, Texas, in 2017, underscored the importance of petrochemical exports to the U.S. economy.

Chapter 7: the future of petrochemicals

* Summary: This chapter explores the future of petrochemicals, including the impact of renewable energy, the transition to bioplastics, and the development of new technologies.
* Real Example: The emergence of biodegradable plastics and the investment in renewable energy sources suggest a shift towards a more sustainable petrochemical industry in the future.