Abstract
Chemistry is a central scientific discipline, at the crossroads of physics, biochemistry, biology, pharmacy, medicine, ecology, geology and mathematics. It has a wide range of industrial applications in health, well-being, materials, transport, construction, energy, the environment, agriculture, forestry and fishing. It is Europe's second-largest manufacturing industry. It is a major economic asset for France, with 4,000 companies, 225,000 jobs and 10 Nobel Prize winners. However, the chemical industry's environmental pressure indicators raise questions. How can we reduce the chemical industry's environmental footprint?
Europe and France have adopted tools such as the REACH regulation. The international chemical community has defined various important concepts and guidelines for reducing the impact of chemistry: green chemistry, sustainable chemistry, ecological chemistry. But what exactly are these concepts? For some, chemistry can play a major role in tackling past, present and future environmental problems. It has the scientific tools and knowledge to protect biodiversity and better understand the stresses to which living organisms are subjected. This lecture will be followed by a debate with high school students from Laon who will discuss this vast subject.
