Toward Sustainable Chemistry

The present economy relies on a massive inward flow of natural resources followed by a reverse flow of economically spent matter back to the ecosphere. In his essay, Collins argues that chemistry has an important role to play in developing the technological dimension of a sustainable civilization on Earth. The key to achieving this goal is a see change in chemical education and practice such that environmental considerations are comprehensively incorporated into chemical research and technology. First and foremost, persistent bioaccumulative pollutants must be eliminated in favor of more biocompatible substances and methods.