Table of Contents
What is Green Chemistry?
The creation of chemical products and processes that reduce the usage or manufacture of hazardous compounds is known as “green chemistry.” The entire life cycle of a chemical, from production to use to final disposal, is covered by green chemistry. It safeguards against atomic-level pollution.
Why does Green Chemistry matter?
The field of “green chemistry,” which is still in its early phases of development, works at the molecular level to achieve sustainability (Anastas & Eghbali, 2010). In the past 10 years, green chemistry has gained a lot of attention due to its potential to use chemical innovation to simultaneously accomplish economic and environmental goals. Green chemistry enables us to create safer substitutes for contaminants. Chemical processes can be developed to reduce waste production and the demand on finite resources. It is possible to use less energy-intensive procedures.
Environmental benefits and advantages of Green Chemistry:
Sustainable chemistry, commonly referred to as “green chemistry,” is a strategy for developing goods, procedures, and systems that drastically cut down on the usage and production of dangerous compounds (Crawford et al., 2017). It focuses on reducing the negative effects of chemical procedures and goods on the environment and human health. Following are some advantages and environmental benefits of green chemistry:
Reduced Environmental pollution:
The objective of green chemistry is to create biochemical processes and products with little or no use of dangerous materials (Clark & Macquarrie, 2008). As a result, less contaminants are released in the soil, water, and air. Green chemistry contributes to the preservation of wildlife, ecosystems, and human health by reducing the emission of harmful chemicals
Waste reduction:
Green chemistry is concerned with increasing the effectiveness of chemical reactions, which reduces the amount of waste produced.
Safer chemicals:
Green chemistry encourages the creation of substances that are less hazardous to both people and the environment. The likelihood of mishaps, spills, and damage to the environment over time is decreased by safer chemical (Abdussalam-Mohammed et al., 2020).
Sustainable Materials:
Designing products that have little environmental impact, such as biodegradable materials and sustainable packaging, is encouraged by green chemistry. The amount of waste that is not biodegradable in oceans and landfills has decreased by using these products.
Energy Efficiency:
Green chemistry places a focus on energy-efficient procedures that can lower the total amount of energy used in chemical reactions and production procedures. As a result, there are fewer emissions of greenhouse gases and carbon footprints.
Renewable feedstock:
Green chemistry promotes switching from fossil fuels to sustainable feedstock including agricultural and biomass-based materials. This lessens reliance on non-renewable assets and the negative effects of resource extraction from the environment.
Preservation of Ecosystem:
Green chemistry contributes to preserving ecosystems and biodiversity by eliminating pollution and minimizing the usage of harmful chemicals. It can stop the release of hazardous substances that could harm aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (Sheldon & Norton, 2020).
Economic Benefits:
Green chemistry can help businesses save money by improving energy efficiency, lowering the cost of raw materials, and disposing of trash. In the way of eco-friendly goods and procedures, it can also open up new economic opportunities.
Improved Public perception:
Companies that follow green chemistry concepts may experience improved popularity and reputation as investors and customers place a higher value on eco-friendly business practices.
In general, green chemistry provides a comprehensive strategy for resolving environmental issues related to the chemical sector and is essential for reaching sustainability objectives, safeguarding the planet’s ecosystems, and preserving human health.
What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable development is one that satisfies existing demands without risking the capacity of the next generations to satisfy their own needs. In simple terms, it is an approach to economic development that places extreme value on maintaining a good environment for present and future generations.
Green Chemistry in Sustainable Development Goals:
Today, chemistry faces enormous challenges. In order to create new substances that exactly follow to customer needs and regulatory requirements, “green” chemists must locate renewable starting materials. Chemistry for a sustainable future is not a tool or a restriction. A balanced or equitable future for both the present and future generations can be achieved through the notion of sustainable development, which includes social, environmental, and economic considerations. It attempts to satisfy current wants without sacrificing the capacity of coming generations to satisfy their own needs. A sustainable link between people, the environment, and prosperity is the goal of sustainable development. Sustainable development has a number of important tenets and components, including:
- Economic sustainability:
This aspect is concerned with promoting a flourishing economy that is fair, equitable, and inclusive and doesn’t harm the environment or deplete natural resources. It places a strong emphasis on resource efficiency, innovation, and ethical business practices.
- Social sustainability:
Social fairness, inclusiveness, and well-being are goals of social sustainability. It entails tackling problems like social justice, access to healthcare, education, and the economy. All members of a society that is sustainable should have access to opportunities and necessities.
- Environmental sustainability:
The preservation and protection of the natural world, including nature, ecosystems, and natural resources, is a key component of environmental sustainability. It places a strong emphasis on lowering emissions, protecting resources, and lessening the effects of climate change.
- Intergenerational Equity:
Sustainable development acknowledges that future generations have a right to access healthy environments and natural resources. To ensure that resources remain accessible in the long term, it calls for ethical management of such resources.
- Cultural and Ethical Considerations:
Sustainable development recognizes the significance of culture, morality, and values in influencing society’s actions and choices. It promotes respect for many cultures and moral standards that advance sustainability.
- Global perspective:
Many sustainability-related issues, such as rising temperatures and loss of biodiversity, are on a truly global scale. To collectively address these difficulties and promote sustainable development, international coordination and collaboration are required (Rieckmann, 2018). The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a framework for tackling a variety of global sustainability issues, such as hunger, poverty, gender inequality, renewable energy, tackling climate change, and responsible production and consumption.
Sustainable development is an all-encompassing, long-term strategy for societal advancement that aims to strike a balance between the pursuit of economic growth, social improvement, and environmental preservation. It seeks to build a future that is fair and sustainable for everybody.
Future prospects:
Green chemistry has bright future possibilities in sustainable development and has the capacity to solve a number of our most critical environmental and societal problems. In the upcoming years, green chemistry is anticipated to have a substantial impact on the following important areas:
- Innovation in sustainable materials
- Renewable energy technologies
- Safer and greener pharmaceuticals
- Water and air quality improvement
- Reducing plastic pollution
- Sustainable agriculture
Conclusion:
Green chemical manufacturing and green chemistry are at the center of addressing urgent environmental issues by limiting pollution, cutting waste, and encouraging the use of less hazardous substances and materials. It offers a way to create a more environment-friendly world and is in line with international goals like the goals for sustainable development (SDGs). We could see exciting developments in green chemistry-driven circular economy methods, renewable energy technology, and sustainable materials in the upcoming years. Green chemistry will be essential in satisfying the growing expectations of governments, businesses, and consumers who are realizing the value of adopting eco-friendly methods.
References:
Abdussalam-Mohammed, W., Ali, A. Q., & Errayes, A. (2020). Green chemistry: principles, applications, and disadvantages. Chem. Methodol, 4(4), 408-423.
Anastas, P., & Eghbali, N. (2010). : principles and practice. Chemical Society Reviews, 39(1), 301-312.
Clark, J. H., & Macquarrie, D. J. (2008). Handbook of green chemistry and technology. John Wiley & Sons.
Crawford, S. E., Hartung, T., Hollert, H., Mathes, B., van Ravenzwaay, B., Steger-Hartmann, T., Studer, C., & Krug, H. F. (2017). Green toxicology: a strategy for sustainable chemical and material development. Environmental Sciences Europe, 29(1), 1-16.
Rieckmann, M. (2018). Learning to transform the world: Key competencies in Education for Sustainable Development. Issues and trends in education for sustainable development, 39, 39-59.
Sheldon, R. A., & Norton, M. (2020). Green chemistry and the plastic pollution challenge: towards a circular economy. Green Chemistry, 22(19), 6310-6322.
Authors detail:
Tayyba Shakir1, Aisha Ghaffar1
1Department of Chemistry, University Of Agriculture Faisalabad, Subcampus Toba Tek Singh
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