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Lesson One: The Essentials of Green Chemistry

Module One: Changing Course
What are the principal goals of "green" chemistry?
Why is there a need for green chemistry?
What challenges do we need to overcome to create a more sustainable society?
Why these challenges?
What role does ethics play in the practice of green chemistry and green science?

Module Two: Green Chemistry and Sustainability
What connections are there between green chemistry and sustainability?
What are the key attributes of a civilization that is sustainable in its technological dimension?
What are the differences between human and natural determinants of sustainability?
Can you explain how sustainability determinants shape the future?
What are some examples of human and natural determinants?

Module Three: Green Chemistry Defined

• Why did Paul Anastas develop his definition of green chemistry in 1991?
• Are there key themes that underly the 12 principles of green chemistry that Anastas and Warner developed?
• Which of the twelve principles do you think is the most important?
• Can you explain the concept equation Risk = f [Exposure, Hazard]?
• Why have chemists in the past not been trained in toxicity?
• In retrospect, was Perkins invention of the first synthetic dye a good thing?
• What are some examples of ways we have tried to mitigate some of the hazards of chemical products and processes in the past?
• How can we mitigate some of the hazards modern chemistry differently in the future?