M9.3: Green Chemistry

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WATCH this video on plastic and consider how different our global ecology would be if green chemistry principles had been applied at the time that plastic was invented.

The information in this video is very upsetting, but very real. The fact that plastic does not degrade may not be well known. Most people don’t even think twice about a water bottle or a plastic bag. Many may think that they are doing their part by recycling, and while recycling is helpful, the truth of the matter is that if we keep producing plastic, it is just going to keep on accumulating. Unfortunately, this creates a huge issue our environment, as plastic is ending up in our oceans and harming our animals. If green chemistry principles had been applied we would be in a much better predicament; however, we now have to face the facts and deal with the amount of plastic waste building up. Creating new technology to reduce waste is definitely part of the solution. 

BLOG about your thoughts on green chemistry. Have you heard of or seen any examples of green chemistry in your work or in daily life? What are your thoughts on the 12 principles of green chemistry? 


The concept of green chemistry is essential to improving the environment and reducing waste. I have not heard much of green chemistry, but as I thought about it, I realized that I have been seeing more and more plastic bags that deem “biodegradable” in the super market. It’s wonderful that we can use technology and new innovations to try and clean up our mess, but it will take more than just green chemistry. Utilizing green chemistry to prevent waste, create safer chemicals, renewable sources of energy, and so on will only make for a better future, but we must also take caution to try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Remediation techniques should still continue to clean up pollution and efforts to pass legislation regulating chemicals, waste products, air pollution, disposal of materials, and such should still be continued.

Comments

  1. Ashley SubramaniMarch 21, 2018 at 5:54 PM

    Hi Loren,

    It is extremely upsetting to see what our plastic use has done to the environment. Even though many of us do recycle, it still is not enough. I agree that new technology must be developed to combat this growing issue. I also think green energy and remediation should be used together to mend the problem as green energy cannot solely do the job.

    ReplyDelete

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