I encountered this interesting article while reading about Octave Levenspiel, a prolific chemical engineer, now deceased. It is entitled Dinosaurs, but it is really about the natural history of our atmospheric composition and pressure. Have a look.
Lamentations on Chemistry
Editorials of a Scientist Political
Lamentations on Chemistry 
Thanks Gaussling for highlighting! A terrific read of Octave Levenspiel’s work.
He was an interesting character.