A few months ago, this column addressed the megadrought in the U.S. Southwest and the increasing concerns over water scarcity [ 1]. Since that time, the drought in that region of the U.S. has continued, further impacting communities across the…
Last month, the American Chemistry Council (ACC; www.acc.org) released its 2022 edition of the “Guide to the Business of Chemistry [1],” which profiles the U.S. chemical industry, including markets, developments, contributions to both domestic and global economies and more. The…
The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court limiting the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate emissions from power plants has many concerned about the effects the decision will have on efforts to address climate change…
The Green Chemistry Challenge Awards recognize scientific solutions to environmental problems that reduce hazards associated with the design, manufacture and use of chemicals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention sponsors the awards in…
A megadrought in the U.S. Southwest has triggered emergency measures to be taken, as both water and hydroelectric power supplies to millions of people are threatened. The water levels in the two largest human-made reservoirs in the U.S., Lake Mead…
Each year since 2001, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE; www.swe.org) has analyzed the research addressing issues related to women in engineering professions. Last month, SWE released a retrospective analysis [1] of what has been learned over the past 20…
A new, extensive report examining the impacts of climate change around the world warns that the effects of climate change are more widespread with further-reaching consequences than previously thought. Compiled by 270 authors from 67 countries, the report [1] was…
Chemical engineering is a discipline with far-reaching and diverse applications. The list of industries that employ its professionals is extensive: petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, basic and specialty chemicals, mining, agriculture, energy and food-and-beverage, to name a few. While the basic…
Driven by climate-related concerns, interest in hydrogen for its potential to play a significant role in decarbonization is surging. An increased urgency to get on track with decarbonization targets set by governments and corporations for the next few decades has…
Following the major disruptions in 2020 due to the pandemic, U.S. chemical production has grown in 2021 and is poised for further gains in 2022, according to the American Chemistry Council’s Year-End 2021 Chemical Industry Situation and Outlook. U.S. chemistry…