Green Chemistry Bridging the Divide by Seetha Kammula

Green chemistry is an increasingly important player in global efforts to find more sustainable ways to minimize our impacts on the Earth. Green chemistry is the branch of chemistry concerned with developing processes and products to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances. One of the goals of green chemistry is to prevent pollution at its source, as opposed to dealing with pollution after it has occurred.

Here is a short essay on green chemistry written by Seetha Kammula in 2011. She is one of the founding partners of Simply Sustain LLC, has over 25 years of experience first at Royal Dutch Shell, and later at Basell, a Shell BASF Joint Venture. At Basell she was Senior VP Strategic Marketing, Innovation & Asset Management and a member of the Board of Directors of Indelpro (Mexico). At Shell she was Strategy Director (Houston), Director of Technology (Belgium)- both for Epoxy Resins, and Research Scientist (Amsterdam). She received a BS degree from Osmania University, India, a PhD degree in Organic Chemistry from Auburn University, and did post-doctorate research at Princeton University.

Achievements of COP 18: The Doha Climate Gateway

 At the UN Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar (COP18/CMP8), governments have taken the next essential step in the global response to climate change. Countries have successfully launched a new commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol, agreed a firm timetable to adopt a universal climate agreement by 2015 and agreed a path to raise necessary ambition to respond to climate change. They also endorsed the completion of new institutions and agreed ways and means to deliver scaled-up climate finance and technology to developing countries.

Sustainability in the Built Environment: Beyond Sustainability Assessment Systems (Whitepaper)

A conceptual paper on sustainability in the the built environment, Beyond Sustainability Assessment Systems. The increasing attention to sustainability worldwide asks for sustainable practices in every sector. In this scenario, the construction sector has often been indicated as a leading protagonist of sustainable development. However, sustainable buildings are still rare and requests to push a sustainable transition of the construction sector are common. Meanwhile, studies and policies are discussing what a sustainable building is and how to measure sustainability in the built environment.

The CERINA Investment Model from IWR

The CERINA plan (CO2 Emissions and Renewable Investment Action Plan) is an investment model by means of which CO2 emissions are compensated for through investments in renewable energy technologies. Since 2009, the German Based Renewable Energy Industry (IWR) has been determining global CO2 emissions and those of individual states using the fossil fuel energy consumption data of BP. On this basis, the amount of investment in renewable technology needed to stabilise global CO2 emissions at the current level is then computed for each country.

On the basis of an objective allocation key per metric ton of CO2, the level of investment can be specified according to the source. Countries with low emissions are required to make lower investments than are countries with high emissions.

Chemical Regulation that is Good for Business and the Environment

The ubiquity of chemicals and our growing environmental awareness are helping to usher a new era in chemistry. Chemicals are part of modern life, yet we are increasingly aware that even tiny quantities of toxins can have harmful health effects including asthma, neuro-developmental disorders, and certain cancers. Chemicals are also being connected with a variety of distinctively modern diseases and disorders including obesity, diabetes, autism, and ADD.

Workshop on Chemistry for a Sustainable Future (Event)

The RSC sponsored International Workshop on Chemistry for a Sustainable Future will take place on December 10, 2012, starting at 14:00 and concluding on 12 December 12, 2012 at 17:00. It will take place at the Malaviya National Institute of Technology in Jaipur, India. This event will deal with the environment, sustainability and energy, it also coincides with the Celebration of Successful Completion of 10 years of Green Chemistry Networking in India.

One of the founders of Green Chemistry, Professor John Warner and world leaders in Green Chemistry like Professor James Clark , Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at University of York will be part of this celebration. Green Chemistry Centre in York UK and its affiliates, the Bio-renewables Development Centre and the company Starbon Technologies are also presenting an exhibition at the Workshop covering green chemistry research, education, outreach and commercialization.

ICUSR 2012 : International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (Event)

This event will take place in Bangkok, Thailand on December 22-23, 2012. The XXXIII. International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of Urban Regeneration and Sustainability, and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted.

Managing Ethical Conduct: Challenges for the Global Company (Special Webcast)

On December 18, 2012 01:00 PM EST [13:00], there will be a special webcast on ethical conduct within public companies. Ethical conduct of officers and directors is an ongoing discussion within the public company. In response to emerging global risks, operational demands, and regional government relations, companies have long embraced the role of Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (CECO). This webcast will address the role of the CECO in today’s public company, examine ways that the role is evolving, and identify how CECO support from officers and directors will enhance corporate reputation and trust with multi-national stakeholders.

The 2012 Conference on Anthropology & Sustainability in Asia (Event)

This event will be held on December 15-17, 2012 at The Landmark Bangkok Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The 2012 Conference on Anthropology & Sustainability in Asia (CASA) 2012 will provide a three-day interdisciplinary platform for scholars, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, students, and practitioners. Set in the heart of Southeast Asia, Bangkok provides the ideal backdrop for a conference that will draw researchers and scholars from around Asia to discuss the importance of anthropology in regards to the CASA 2012 theme: Anthropological Perspectives on Holistic Sustainability.

COP 18 Debate -Targets, Problems, Solutions (Video)

COP 18 Update: Developing Countries Blame Wealthy Nations for their Unwillingness to Compromise (Video)

This video addresses the slow pace of negotiations and the need for action at Doha. The United States negotiators and other developed nations have been described as "stumbling blocks" to a global agreement. Developing countries decry the lack of willingness to compromise from wealthy nations.

Plea for Action at COP 18 by the Delegate from the Philippines (Video)

At the COP 18 climate talks in Doha, Naderev M Sano head of climate change in Philippines, delivered a powerful address that is being heard around the world. As he spoke the death toll from Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines was at more than 500 people, an almost equal number were still missing and more than 300,000 Filipinos had lost their homes.

Addressing the main plenary in Doha Sano said: "An important backdrop for my delegation is the profound impacts of climate change that we are already confronting. As we sit here, every single hour, even as we vacillate and procrastinate here, the death toll is rising" he said.

The Logistics, Carbon, and Business Data Book: Fall 2012 Sustainability Trends (Whitepaper)

This Whitepaper was prepared by UPS, it contains more than 60 charts collected from research, government and corporate outlets such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the American Wind Energy Association, Ernst & Young, ExxonMobil and the European Environment Agency.

To download the Whitepaper click here.

COP 18: Bridging the Gulf Between Science and Reality

In theory the slew of recent climate studies should inspire the delegates that have assembled for the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP 18). In practice the 194 nations that are meeting in Doha, Qatar, are getting bogged down by the same old arguments.

A Short History of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP)

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC or FCCC) is an international environmental treaty negotiated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The UNFCCC was opened for signature on May 9, 1992, after an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee produced the text of the Framework Convention as a report following its meeting in New York from April 30 to May 9, 1992. It entered into force on March 21, 1994. As of December 2012, UNFCCC has 194 parties.

Yvo de Boer's Comments and Predictions Post COP 17

Ex U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer had some very positive things to say about last year's climate talks. As we are getting into the final stretch of COP 18 it is interesting to look back on COP 17 in Durban. On January 6, 2012, Environmental Leader published an article detailing de Boer's views.

The former executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change said that Durban sent a strong message to business that the world’s governments are serious about tackling climate change. He said that the Durban climate talks indicate that it is time for businesses to start preparing for a low-carbon economy. He also said that market-based mechanisms such as carbon trading will continue and he further expected that there will be clear reporting guidelines on GHG emissions.

COP 18: WBCSD on Establishing a Global Carbon Market

Recently the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) resurfaced work that it undertook back at the start of the Long-term Cooperative Action (LCA). The discussion on LCA includes a broad range of issues including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA), the New Market Mechanism (NMM) and more recently, the Framework for Various Approaches (FVA).

The WBCSD has published a paper entitled “Establishing a Global Carbon Market,” it looks at how the substance of the Kyoto Protocol carbon market can be applied much more broadly to an evolving world of various approaches.

COP 18: The History of Carbon and Respective Responsibilities

There are massive disparities between the developed and developing world that compound the issue of emissions reduction at COP 18 and beyond. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution CO2 has increased about 41 percent. Research from climate scientists indicates that we need to act now to reduce emissions. The temperature of the planet has already increased about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850 and our current trajectory will warm the planet well beyond safe upper limits. However, if we are to make progress on global emissions reductions we will need to address the respective responsibilities of the developed and developing world.

Figueres on COP 18: We Need Domestic Legislation

Before we get an international consensus on a binding treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change we will need to see domestic legislation. Almost 200 Nations have convened for COP 18, but on its own these efforts are inadequate. Those assembled in Doha, Qatar will not deliver the immediate results we need. The modest agenda this year means that no new emissions targets will be set and little progress is expected on a protocol that is supposed to be concluded in 2015 and take effect in 2020. The rate at which emissions are growing means we cannot wait for 2020. A number of studies indicate that are nearing tipping points from which we will not be able to recover.

Global Carbon Project: Immediate Action Required to Stay Within Acceptable Upper Temperature Limits

Global emissions of carbon dioxide were at a record high in 2011 and are likely to keep on growing in 2012 and beyond unless we act now. According to a December 2, 2012 article published in Nature Climate Change, researchers affiliated with the Global Carbon Project came to the conclusion that it is becoming increasingly unlikely that we will be able to keep temperatures within acceptable upper limits. Emissions continue to grow so quickly that without immediate action it is unlikely that we can stay within the 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) upper temperature limit established by scientists three years ago.

Obama Administration's Wind Energy Leases

Although the Obama administration has offered offshore oil leases, it has also announced that it is offering competitive lease sales for wind energy development in areas off the coasts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia. What makes this announcement so important is the fact that this is the first time that a portion of the outer continental shelf will be leased for renewable energy development.

As explained in EcoWatch, the area off the coast of Virginia alone can support more than 2,000 megawatts of wind generation, which can power an estimated 700,000 homes. The areas off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island are expected to be able to support about an additional 2,000 megawatts of wind generation.

Dramatic Sea Level Rise Expected From Faster Melting of Arctic Snow and Ice

Driven by warming in the Arctic and the resulting melt of snow and ice, sea levels could rise up to 5 feet by the end of this century. This is more than two and a half times higher than the 2007 projection of a half to two feet by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

This is the finding revealed in 2011 press release from the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development. The release referenced a study by the International Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP).

Greenpeace Succeeds in Forcing Zara to Detox

Since 2011 Greenpeace has been asking Zara (a brand within the Inditex group) to eliminate hazardous chemicals from its clothing lines and supply chains. Late in 2012 Zara succumbed to pressure from Greenpeace and decided to address the issue of toxic pollution. Zara finally capitulated after Greenpeace launched an aggressive global campaign targeting the store.

Zara and the seven other brands in the Inditex group (Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, Zara Home and Uterqüe) is now publicly committed to eliminate all discharge of hazardous chemicals from its supply chain and products by 2020. Zara will immediately begin to phase out some of the worst offending chemicals like PFCs.

The Cost of Oil: BP Barred from Doing Business with the US

BP has been barred from doing business with the US government for its role in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon rig disaster and oil spill. Although BP is currently one of the largest holders of federal oil leases, the company will not be able to bid on any new federal oil leases, until they meet the EPA's standards.

In November, BP pleaded guilty to more than a dozen felony counts related to the disaster in the Gulf, including 11 counts of manslaughter over the deaths of 11 workers. The company also pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice for lying to Congress over the amount of oil spilling into the ocean.

Scientists Warn we Must Act to Diminish Rising Sea Levels

Scientists warn that rising sea levels will be disastrous, however they also state that it is within our power to not only defend against rising tides, but also to reduce the rate at which they rise.

As reviewed in an Inhabitat article, Benjamin Strauss is a scientist who has published reports on rising sea level. As Strauss has said, “Sea level rise is like an invisible tsunami, building force while we do almost nothing… We have a closing window of time to prevent the worst by preparing for higher seas.”

The Cost of Sea Level Rises: Two Trillion Per Year

Rising sea levels are not only imperiling people, the cost to property and infrastructure amounts to trillions of dollars a year. However, if governments act now they can significantly reduce the costs associated with sea level rises. Failure to act soon will cause the costs to increase exponentially.

According to a study from the Stockholm Environment Institute called “Valuing the Oceans”, if the rise of greenhouse gases continues to go unchecked, it will result in lasting damage that will cost $2 trillion each year.

America at Risk from Rising Sea Levels

Millions of Americans including people in Florida, Louisiana, California, New York and New Jersey are at risk from flooding. In total more than half of the US population in more than 285 cities may be at risk including NYC. Million of people and trillions of dollars in property and infrastructure assets are located in areas that are less that 1 meter above the high tide mark.

Flooding of up to four feet could cover 3 million acres including military bases, agricultural lands and toxic waste dumps. Almost 5 million Americans live in homes at less than four feet above high tide, and 3.7 reside at less than one meter (3.3 feet) above high tide.

Sea Levels are Rising 60 Percent Faster than Anticipated

Sea levels are rising much faster than previously anticipated. Just how much sea levels will rise depends on what we do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

The rate of sea level rise appears to be much faster than anticipated by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

According to a November 27th study, published in published in Environmental Research Letters, the ocean is rising much faster than predicted by the IPCC.

Scientist Warn Time is Running Out to Avert a Climate Catastrophe

It is still possible to stave off the worst effects of climate change but the window of opportunity is rapidly getting smaller. There have been a spate of reports just ahead of COP 18 in Doha that conclusively make the point that we must act now to reduce CO2 and other GHGs.

As reported in the Huffington Post, "It is still possible to avoid 2-degree warming, and arguing it is too late could very easily be a self-fulfilling prophecy," said Michael E. Mann, a climatologist and director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University. "That having been said, the real issue is whether or not we have the political will."

The World Future Energy Summit 2013 (Event)

This theme of this event is "Powering the Future of Energy Innovation" it will be held on January, 15-17, 2013, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event will be attended by over 26,000 people from 137 different countries. As the centerpiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, WFES will join forces with a series of other sustainability and renewable energy initiatives which include Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) and International water summit (IWS). The momentum created by these co-located events will highlight WFES as an unrivalled global platform of expertise.

Sustainable Irrigation 2012 (Event)

The 4th International Conference on Sustainable Irrigation and Drainage: Management, Technologies and Policies will take place on December 11-13, 2012 in Adelaide, Australia. This event will provide a unique forum for multidisciplinary discussion. The objective of the meeting is to generate debate and ideas about how to make irrigation more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

The conference theme acknowledges that sustainability is not a fixed and clearly defined objective, rather it is a goal that is always changing as knowledge and biophysical realities alter. In that sense, moving towards sustainability is a journey with an ever evolving destination. Irrigation, as the biggest water user in most regions of the world, is facing significant challenges in balancing social, economic and environmental needs for water.

International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources (Event)

The 5th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources will take place on the 4th – 6th December, 2012 at the Maritim ProArte Hotel in Berlin, Germany. The growing share of renewable and distributed energy resources in power systems requires the development of efficient measures for their integration. Since the first International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources that took place in Brussels 2004, grid integration technology has continuously improved. Many technical and non-technical issues have been solved or are now better understood. However, as the scale of deployment increases, new important challenges are emerging.

Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability in Mining (Event)

This event will address the economic, environmental and social issues associated with mining. It will take place on December 3-4, 2012 at St. Andrew's Club and Conference Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This two-day conference will bring together an esteemed faculty of experts who will provide an in-depth overview of challenges faced by the CSR professionals in the mining industry. Speakers will share best practices in successfully incorporating sustainable methods such as managing human rights issues, reducing environmental impacts and incorporating sustainable practices into your company's business strategy and operations. This presents a valuable opportunity to understand both current issues and emerging trends. The event is also a perfect opportunity to network with industry professionals and thought leaders.

Governance and Sustainable Development: Building Commerce and Communities (Event)

This Conference will take place from the 10th to the 13th of December 2012 in Coimbatore, India. Sustainable development involves a complex and intricate relationship between commerce and communities. Find out more about sustainable development at this event organized by Amrita University, India and Deakin University, Australia.

COP 18 Drivers of Deforestation (Video)

This presentation by Gabrielle Kissinger and Martin Herold was given on 26 November 2012 at a UNFCCC COP18 side-event in Doha, Qatar. They shared findings from a recently published global assessment on the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, as well as country experiences of dealing with them in a REDD+ context. To support SBSTA considerations on REDD+, and to support on-going national-level REDD+ planning and implementation, the assessment explores the importance of drivers, the role of drivers in REDD+ policy development and interventions, and in developing forest reference emission levels.

Doha Progress Update by Christiana Figueres on 30 November 2012 (Video)

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres briefs the press on progress in the negotiations at the Doha Climate Change Conference.

Related Articles
Yvo de Boer's Comments and Predictions Post COP 17
COP 18: The History of Carbon and Respective Responsibilities
COP 18: WBCSD on Establishing a Global Carbon Market
Figueres on COP 18: We Need Domestic Legislation
COP 18 Drivers of Deforestation (Video)
Christiana Figueres on the Objectives of COP 18 (Video)
COP 18: Major Issues, Flooding in the UK, What We Have Achieved on Climate Change and the US Position (Video)
US Climate Change Policy: Hurricane Sandy, Drought and Rising Sea Levels (Video)

Christiana Figueres on the Objectives of COP 18 (Video)

Addressing the media on the opening day of the Doha Climate Change Conference, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres, outlined the objectives of the conference, including a renewed commitment under the Kyoto Protocol.

Related Articles
Yvo de Boer's Comments and Predictions Post COP 17
COP 18: The History of Carbon and Respective Responsibilities
COP 18: WBCSD on Establishing a Global Carbon Market
Figueres on COP 18: We Need Domestic Legislation
COP 18 Drivers of Deforestation (Video)
Doha progress update by Christiana Figueres on 30 November 2012 (Video)
COP 18: Major Issues, Flooding in the UK, What We Have Achieved on Climate Change and the US Position (Video)
US Climate Change Policy: Hurricane Sandy, Drought and Rising Sea Levels (Video)

COP 18: Major Issues, Flooding in the UK, What We Have Achieved on Climate Change and the US Position (Video)

The IPCC COP 18 Climate Change Conference has started in Qatar. There are three major issues that must be addressed, the first is renewal of the Kyoto Protocol, the second is the issues between the developed and the developing world, and the third is climate finance. The American Government will not endorse the Kyoto Agreement. Considering Hurricane Sandy and other extreme weather events, the US position on climate change and carbon emission reductions is ignorant and ultimately harmful to the World.

Related Articles
Yvo de Boer's Comments and Predictions Post COP 17
COP 18: The History of Carbon and Respective Responsibilities
COP 18: WBCSD on Establishing a Global Carbon Market
Figueres on COP 18: We Need Domestic Legislation
COP 18 Drivers of Deforestation (Video)
Doha progress update by Christiana Figueres on 30 November 2012 (Video)
Christiana Figueres on the Objectives of COP 18 (Video)
US Climate Change Policy: Hurricane Sandy, Drought and Rising Sea Levels (Video)

US Climate Change Policy: Hurricane Sandy, Drought and Rising Sea Levels (Video)

Hurricanes and drought in the US this year make it difficult for Americans to ignore the costs of climate change. It is hoped that President Barack Obama will elevate the national climate change conversation, but he is constrained by a Congress that is resistant to the idea of making climate change a national priority.

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24 Hours of Reality

World Banks Warning: We Need to Act Now on Climate Change (Video)

The World Bank has released a report which is a sobering look at what an increase of 4 degree Celsius will look like. This study addresses the implications for disaster management and food supply and points out that the worst impacts will be on the world's poorest people. However, the report points out that we can do something about it, but the window is narrow and we have to take action now.