Graedel, Thomas E. THE TRANSITION FROM GREEN CHEMISTRY TO SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, 205 Prospect St., New Haven, CT 06511 (thomas.graedel@yale.edu)
As it has developed, green chemistry is largely a local concept in both space and time. The goal has been to use innovative chemistry to minimize immediate environmental impacts in the vicinity of the industrial facility. Environmental impacts can occur on larger scales of space and time, however. In addition, it is necessary to recognize that chemical synthesis processes do not suddenly appear and disappear, but involve site development and process shutdown as well as operation. A broad perspective of sustainable chemistry includes its environmental interactions over a range of spatial and temporal scales, and considers the entire facility and process life cycle. If green chemistry is to be transformed into sustainable chemistry, it must see itself as part of sustainability science. Examples of steps and signposts on the road to sustainable chemistry will be presented and discussed.