The Chemistry Department of Loyola Marymount University has signed the Green Chemistry Commitment, which formalizes the department’s intention to move chemists toward safer, nontoxic, renewable chemistry and materials.
In celebration of signing this pledge, the department is hosting a Science and Sustainability Expo & Talk on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 4-6 p.m. on the Life Sciences Building Rose Hills Terrace (2nd Floor) and auditorium. The expo portion of the event will feature informational tables hosted by several environmentally friendly LMU groups, as well as Hyperion Treatment Plant, The Bay Foundation, and the city of Los Angeles.
The keynote address will be given by John Warner, a founder of green chemistry. Other speakers are Michael Simpson, of the Industrial Waste Management Division of the city of Los Angeles’ Sanitation Department, and Tom Beardslee, vice president of research and development from Verdezyne, an industrial biotechnical company researching ways to produce chemicals from renewable sources and winner of the 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Award.
There are 34 universities in the United States and Canada that are considered early adopters of the Green Chemistry commitment. LMU is the first four-year private institution west of the Mississippi to commit to the program.
In signing this agreement, chemistry professors at the Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, commit to changing the education of tomorrow’s scientists by pledging to follow the 12 principles of Green Chemistry which include:
- Ensure students have an understanding of how chemicals affect human health and the environment and to identify and assess molecular hazards;
- Give students the ability to assess chemical products and processes in the laboratory and design greener alternatives when possible;
- Prepare students to serve society in their professional capacity as scientists through the incorporation of methods and chemicals that are safe for people and the environment
“We often hear about the negative impacts of technology on our environment. Certainly there are sobering facts for which modern power usage, mining and the chemical industry bear responsibility regarding toxic pollution and emissions. Our scientific advances focused on Green Chemistry will play a central role in addressing these problems and ensuring a more sustainable and bright future.”
For more information about this event, please go to http://cse.lmu.edu/greenchem
