Public relations, green chemistry

To become familiar with leading research in green chemistry and the related fields of public health and sustainability science. 

Most research on green chemistry and related concepts has taken place in the past 20 years (Figure 1). A search of Chemical Abstracts for key terms related to green chemistry showed that the number of publications for each topic suddenly ramped up starting at a particular year 1980 for biomass conversion and supercritical CO2 , 1996 for life cycle analysis and green chemistry , 1999 for ionic liquids and 2001 for atom economy . 

If we now consider prototypical chemistry-related issues from the debate about sustainable development and green chemistry many of them meet these criteria. Chemistry-related issues of sustainable development, like a more intense production and use of alternative fuels or bioplastics, are discussed in mass media. Regulations on their use will potentially have an impact on the students consumer choices. The use of alternative fuels or bioplastics is still controversial pro and con arguments are given in societal debate and can be used in students open debate. And, finally, these issues are definitely questions of chemistry and technology corresponding arguments are used in public debate. 

With an increasing awareness and concerns about our dependency on fossil resources and the depletion of crude oil reserves, this book aims to give an overview to the bio-based economy. Experts from academia and industries worldwide have presented their views on industrial biotechnology, green chemistry and sustainable policy related to the use of renewable raw materials for non-food applications and energy supply. Innovative key research concepts such as waste valorization and its society aspects related to renewable resources need to be transferred to the public, academic and industrial sectors in order to redouble efforts towards a more sustainable society and a bio-based economy. 

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