Green chemistry

Sustainability and the green chemist Green chemistry poses the questions: why are we using hazardous substances at all? Cant we use non-hazardous alternatives. Why are we producing waste? Why are we throwing things away that we can use else where? Can we carry out processes using less energy?

Green Chemists Chemists are working to solve these problems by researching the following points…

… Using Renewable Resources Using plant based substances or solar energy instead of finite resources such as fossil fuels. HOWEVER, solar energy and wind power is unreliable and plant based substances are expensive compared to finite resources.

… Saving Money By not having to treat hazardous waste. By using fewer chemicals and less energy. HOWEVER, money will be spent developing these chemicals as there will be trial and error methods.

… Preventing Waste Using products that do not create waste so to save time and money, as people don’t have to clean up after. HOWEVER, this will take time to develop. A lot of waste could be created in the process of development.

… Maximising Atom Economy Using methods to use all the materials so nothing is wasted. HOWEVER, this is expensive and time consuming.

… Recycling and Biodegradability Once materials have reached the end of their life, they can be recycled or easily broken down without creating harmful substances. HOWEVER, this is expensive and time consuming. It will also involve a lot of materials used today being in landfill sites.

Kyoto Protocol

International Cooperation 11 December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, countries governments gathered to discuss methods on combating global warming. The protocol was established for the reduction of four greenhouse gases (GHG) (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride) and two groups of gases (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) produced by them. They agreed to cut the greenhouse gases by 5.2% from the figures gathered in 1990.

It is important for the countries to work together as this is a global problem. It is not possible for one country to solve the problem on its own and so countries have to work together to cut emissions.