Book excerpt: Future Sources of Organic Raw Materials: CHEMRAWN I is a collection of lectures presented at the World Conference on Future Sources of Organic Raw Materials, held in Toronto, Canada, on July 10-13, 1978. The conference focused on potential future sources of organic raw materials such as non-conventional fossil hydrocarbons, coal, industrial and agricultural wastes, and renewable resources like wood and other plant materials. This book is comprised of 52 chapters and opens with an assessment of the likely future availability of conventional oil and gas as they relate to possible demands for petrochemical feedstocks, paying particular attention to the availability and demand patterns for fossil hydrocarbons. The following chapters discuss the reserves and worldwide distribution of oil shale and tar sands; climate and its impact on renewable resources; research and management of natural resources; and production of chemicals directly from synthesis gas. Pyrolysis of solid carbonaceous materials is also considered, along with natural rubber production and biomass for non-food use. This monograph will be a useful resource for organic chemists and energy policymakers.