Can chemistry be environmentally friendly? Challenges and opportunities
Summary
Chemistry is a core scientific discipline at the crossroads of physics, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine, ecology, geology, and mathematics. It has many industrial applications in areas such as health, well-being, materials, transportation, construction, energy, the environment, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. It is the second largest manufacturing industry in Europe. It is a major economic asset for France, with four companies, 225,000 jobs, and ten Nobel Prizes. However, the chemical industry's environmental pressure indicators raise questions. How can we reduce the environmental footprint of chemistry?
Europe and France have adopted tools such as the REACH regulation. The international chemistry community has defined various important concepts and guidelines for reducing the impact of chemistry: green chemistry, sustainable chemistry, ecological chemistry. What exactly does this involve? For some, chemistry can play a major role in addressing past, present, and future environmental problems. It has the scientific tools and knowledge to protect biodiversity and better understand the stress to which living organisms are subjected. This course will be followed by a debate with high school students from Laon who will come to discuss this vast subject.