Can Chemistry Be Environmentally Friendly? Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract
Chemistry is a core scientific discipline at the intersection of physics, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine, ecology, geology, and mathematics. Its industrial applications are numerous and span health, well-being, materials, transportation, construction, energy, the environment, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. 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, environmental pressure indicators for the chemical industry raise concerns. How can the environmental footprint of the chemical industry be reduced?
Europe and France have adopted tools such as the REACH regulation. The international chemistry community has defined various important concepts and guidelines to reduce the impact of chemistry: green chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and ecological chemistry. What exactly do these terms mean? For some, chemistry can play a major role in addressing not only past environmental problems, but also current and future ones. It possesses the scientific tools and knowledge to protect biodiversity and better understand the stress to which living organisms are subjected. This lecture will be followed by a discussion with high school students from Laon who will join us to discuss this broad topic.