Observation of 2011 as International Year of Chemistry would hopefully trigger a dialogue on ‘chemistry for sustainability’ set in the context of achievements in this stream of science, according to Prof S. Chandrasekaran, Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

Speaking at a function here at the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) on the occasion of the National Science Day, he said that the most important challenges of the 21st century were energy and environment where chemistry had a major role to play.

GREEN CHEMISTRY

The NIIST is an affiliate of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

“We need to take up chemistry through a ‘green chemistry’ approach that involves invention of industrial processes that do not use or produce environmentally harmful substances,” Prof Chandrasekaran said.

“We need chemistry that is appropriate for a sustainable future, which is driven by cost effectiveness and public acceptability rather than regulation. Chemistry provides a mechanism to address this challenge in very real terms.”

ROLE OF WOMEN

He lauded the efforts of the IUPAC and UNESCO in getting 2011 declared as the International Year of Chemistry whose slogan is ‘Chemistry - our life and our future.’ He also observed that the year would also celebrate the role of women in chemistry and major historical events in chemistry, including the centenaries of Madame Curie’s Nobel Prize.

Chemistry is both a central and an enabling science, Prof Chandrasekaran said. It also plays a key role in helping mankind conquer diseases, solving energy and environmental problems, driving discoveries and innovation to create new industries, materials and technologies.

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