Chemists Celebrate Earth Week
a program of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
Theme: “Dive into Marine Chemistry”
Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) is a community-based program of the American Chemical Society (ACS). 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.
This year marks the 15th year since the ACS program was started. To align the Earth Day celebration with in ACS with the National Chemistry Week celebration, this year, ACS has changed the name to Chemists Celebrate Earth Week
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 2018 theme is “Dive into Marine Chemistry.” This year’s theme looks at the impact of chemistry on the oceans. Life on our planet began in the oceans, and today the oceans are full of tiny organisms that, together, weigh more than everything that lives on land. The oceans also absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen in a cycle that is essential for all life on earth. This and other topics are presented in this year version of Celebrating Chemistry. The electronic version of the Celebrating Chemistry newsletter for CCED as well as additional information about this year’s CCED celebration is available from the ACS website (www.acs.org/ccew).
