Prof Tom Welton, Imperial College, London
The products of the chemicals industries have enhanced our lives beyond measure. We live longer and more comfortably than the generations that have come before us. However, this has come at a cost for the environment. Pollution from human activities is at a level that could not have been previously imagined. In this talk, I will show how changing perceptions of pollution have led to the realisation that we cannot continue on our current trajectory. While many think of chemistry as the problem, only chemistry can bring us all of the benefits of our current lives without the accompanying environmental damage. I will also show how Green Chemistry and Sustainable Chemistry have emerged to meet this exciting challenge.
The products of the chemicals industries have enhanced our lives beyond measure. We live longer and more comfortably than the generations that have come before us. However, this has come at a cost for the environment. Pollution from human activities is at a level that could not have been previously imagined. In this talk, I will show how changing perceptions of pollution have led to the realisation that we cannot continue on our current trajectory. While many think of chemistry as the problem, only chemistry can bring us all of the benefits of our current lives without the accompanying environmental damage. I will also show how Green Chemistry and Sustainable Chemistry have emerged to meet this exciting challenge.
