Chemists Celebrate Earth Week
a program of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Theme: “Protecting Our Planet through Chemistry”
Earth Day 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the world’s largest environmental movement! Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) is a community-based program of the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS will celebrate Earth Day through CCEW 2020 from April 19-25 with the theme, “Protecting Our Planet through Chemistry.” ACS and Earth Day Network are creating resources and programs to support ACS members and chemistry enthusiasts in joining the campaign. This annual program unites ACS local sections, student chapters, technical divisions, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the positive role that chemistry plays in the world. Earth Day was first officially recognized on April 22, 1970 as a way to demonstrate support for a healthy environment, raise awareness about environmental issues, and remind people that we all need to contribute to a sustainable planet. For years, chemists have been promoting a better world through recyclable plastics, cleaner-burning fuels, phosphate-free detergents, environmental monitoring, and green chemistry initiatives. The ACS joined the Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2003.
The Chemical Society of Washington (CSW) will once again participate in Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) activities. Chemistry is all around us and is vital to our planet’s sustainability. Whether it’s used in recyclable and biodegradable materials or through the reduction of waste, chemistry is involved in ensuring that we can be eco-friendly and kind to our environment. CCEW seeks to bring international focus to environmental causes, such as clean air, water, and energy. ACS offers events, contests, and educational resources for members, chemical educators, and chemistry enthusiasts to illustrate the positive role that chemistry plays in preserving the Earth. The CCEW 2020 theme is “Protecting Our Planet through Chemistry.”
This year’s theme looks at how chemistry protects and affects the planet. Planet Earth provides humans with the natural resources we need to survive and thrive. Chemistry is the science that has helped us use both renewable and nonrenewable resources to transform our lives. Chemists invent and design many of the materials that make items we use every day, from electronics to medicine. Every day, our actions as humans have impacts on the earth and the environment. Some of these actions are beneficial, while others are not. We can each do our own part to protect the planet by making small changes in our lives, like switching to biodegradable plastics and buying less one-time-use stuff. We want to show you some of the way’s chemistry is contributing to cleaning our water, reducing waste, and designing sustainable materials. We hope that you enjoy celebrating Earth Day’s 50th birthday during Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 2020, with the theme of “Protecting Our Planet through Chemistry.” Remember that actions to protect our planet should be observed and celebrated all year round! The electronic version of the Celebrating Chemistry newsletter for CCEW, as well as additional information about this year’s CCEW celebration, will be available February 1, 2020 from the ACS website (www.acs.org/ccew).