We are thrilled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference when conference attendees gather virtually next month!  The inaugural conference was organized in 1997 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and remains the premier green chemistry and engineering conference in North America, attracting almost 5,000 attendees to last year’s virtual gathering.  The ACS Green Chemistry Institute is proud to organize this prestigious conference with the support of so many loyal sponsors every year.

It has been a full year since most of us began working from home. The accelerated rollout of vaccines brings hope for an end to the pandemic in the near future.  In the meantime, we will continue to share our science through such virtual events as the ACS Spring 2021 National Meeting, April 5-30, and the Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, June 14-18. 

By Mary Kirchhoff, Ph.D., Director, ACS Green Chemistry Institute

In my last column, I reflected on the challenges we all faced in 2020, along with the unexpected opportunities presented by the pandemic.  As we wrap up the first month of 2021, I am optimistic that the new year will bring an increased focus on, and appreciation for, the role of green chemistry in achieving a sustainable future.

“A year like no other.”  I have heard many people describe 2020 in these terms.  Few of us at the beginning of the year imagined our current state of social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The sacrifices are real:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will celebrate its 50^th anniversary on December 2. Established during the Nixon administration, the Agency has a simple, yet powerful, mission, “To protect human health and the environment.” Over the past hal

The American Chemical Society (ACS) just wrapped up its first Virtual National Meeting & Expo.  Pivoting from the planned in-person meeting to an online event proved challenging given the size of the National Meeting.  Despite these challenges, more than

Thanks to all those who joined the ACS Green Chemistry Institute for our first virtual conference the week of June 15!  It was an amazing week spent sharing green chemistry and engineering research and education, making new connections, and reconnecting w

Safety is a core value of the American Chemical Society.  You have likely seen this phrase in recent communications from ACS, such as the announcement of the termination of the ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia last month.  This core value of the Socie

April 22, 2020 marks the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day. Conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day reminds us of our obligation to care for our fragile planet. Signs of humanity’s negative impact on the environment were evident when the first Earth Da

Amazingly, another year is drawing to a close – it is hard to believe that 20 years ago we were worried about Y2K!  The end of every year brings a time for reflection on the current year and anticipation for the coming year.  2019 has been a good year for

It was lovely to see so many of you at the ACS National Meeting in San Diego in August! Green chemistry symposia were presented across numerous divisions on a variety of topics. The ACS GCI Pharmaceutical Roundtable organized a workshop, an organic sympos

We have just wrapped up the joint 23rd Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference/ 9th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry in Reston, Virginia. We were thrilled to welcome more than 600 attendees to this year’s conference, whi

With the ACS National Meeting receding in the rearview mirror, we are rapidly accelerating toward the 23^rd Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference/9^th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry in just over six weeks! The ACS Spri

It is hard to believe we are already approaching the end of February! Each year seems to pass more quickly than the last one and 2019 is shaping up to be a busy year for chemistry, thanks to the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Element

My sincere thanks to all who attended and helped organize last month’s Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference in Portland, Oregon—what a fantastic meeting!  A total of 580 attendees shared research results, engaged in interactive discussions, and visite