Elements of the New Economy: Green Chemistry in the Pacific Northwest A Meeting for Funders: March 8 & 9, 2010 Seattle, WA
How would life in the Pacific Northwest be different if Green Chemistry were widely adopted? What would the Pacific Northwest look like if designed by Green Chemists? Materials would be “benign by design”: Safe to make, use, dispose of, or reuse. Environmental performance would drive product innovation as well as safety. Raw materials and energy would be renewable. Bio-refineries in local agricultural areas would produce fuel and chemicals using inherently safe processes. Carbon would be recycled from plant to product and back to plant. “Green” jobs and investment opportunities would flourish in local communities. Products would be biodegradable, industrial processes would be vastly less resource-intensive and much more energy-efficient.
For complete details including registration instructions, please visit the event's Web site at: www.greenchempnw.org.
Vision:
How would life in the Pacific Northwest be different if Green Chemistry were widely adopted? What would the Pacific Northwest look like if designed by Green Chemists?
Materials would be “benign by design”: Safe to make, use, dispose of, or reuse. Environmental performance would drive product innovation as well as safety. Raw materials and energy would be renewable. Bio-refineries in local agricultural areas would produce fuel and chemicals using inherently safe processes. Carbon would be recycled from plant to product and back to plant. “Green” jobs and investment opportunities would flourish in local communities. Products would be biodegradable, industrial processes would be vastly less resource-intensive and much more energy-efficient.
Green Chemistry is defined as “the utilization of a set of principles that reduces or eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical products” (Anastas and Warner, Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice). Green Chemistry holds the promise of not only changing the field of chemistry but of fundamentally reorienting society towards a safer, healthier future.
It is a rapidly growing field – and the Pacific Northwest already is positioned as a leader in this emerging area of science and technology. Several companies in the region employ green chemistry technologies to gain competitive advantage. Additionally, several local colleges and universities are training the next generation of chemists to use Green Chemistry.
There is a profound need, however, to move Green Chemistry forward faster. Advancing the field requires a science-based strategy. This strategy would require the development of Green Chemistry workforce. It would also connect Green Chemistry to other areas of science and engineering.
Outcomes:
- Introduce and define Green Chemistry
- Explain its intersections with diverse issues and disciplines
- Outline strategies that represent ways to support and grow Green Chemistry in the Pacific Northwest
A Briefing for Pacific Northwest Funders on Green Chemistry
We invite your participation in a briefing to examine Green Chemistry’s contribution to this vision. We will explore the exemplary Green Chemistry resources and potential opportunities that exist in the region, highlighting strategic ways funders can engage in this work.
Speakers will include:
- Leaders in Green Chemistry education and research;
- Representatives of companies pioneering best practices in Green Chemistry;
- Non-profits focused on advancing the science and its application;
- State officials seeking to develop policy in this field.
Details:
The meeting will take place March 8-9, 2010 in Seattle, WA at the Edgewater Hotel. There is no cost to attend, though participants must cover their own travel and lodging (a block of rooms are being reserved at group rate).
Beginning with an evening reception and dinner on the 8th, we are honored to welcome Pete Myers, author of Our Stolen Future and CEO of Environmental Health Sciences to introduce the themes and establish the platform for discussion.
The 9th will be a full workday organized in three parts:
- Part I will provide a “Green Chemistry 101” and examine Green Chemistry education and capacity building in the Pacific Northwest.
- Part II will look at regional companies who are building their products and brand around Green Chemistry applications.
- Part III will explore the role that government and non-government organizations can play in implementing policy that advances green chemistry.
Audience:
Funders working across a wide range of issue including: environment, health, education and workforce development, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, climate and energy, smart growth, sustainable consumption and production, land, freshwater and marine conservation, are encouraged to participate. We also anticipate being joined by representatives of local government agencies.
This meeting has been organized and sponsored by:
Amy Solomon, Bullitt Foundation
Beto Bedolfe, Marisla Foundation
Diane Ives, Kendeda Fund
Kathy Sessions, Health and Environmental Funders Network
Karen O’Brien and Julie Jones, Advancing Green Chemistry
Pete Myers, Environmental Health Sciences
