Growing societal and governmental pressures regarding areas such as health, environment and energy represent a unique challenge and opportunity to the field of green chemistry.
One only has to browse the news to hear about public concerns regarding Canadian oil pipeline proposals, chemical spills, global warming and extreme weather to name a few. Chemical scientists and engineers are poised to play a major role in tackling these challenges as they affect oil-sands, pulp and paper, mining and chemical production companies as well as emerging industries such as bio-based chemicals.
Solutions that fit the needs of business and the economy need to be aligned with societal goals of limiting adverse effects on health and the environment. How trade associations and professional organizations achieve this, as well as human resource forecasting, will be discussed, highlighting important challenges and opportunities today and in the next 5-10 years.