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The Rise of Environmental Sustainability

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Bruce Hamilton

Abstract:

The importance of “Environmental Sustainability” as a topic meriting attention by chemical engineers has been underscored by a number of recent events, including:

• The establishment by AIChE of the Institute for Sustainability and the Sustainable Engineering Forum (SEF)
• The emergence at AIChE national meetings (including November 4-9, 2007 in Salt Lake City) of Topical sessions on sustainability
• The publication in 2006 by the National Academies of a study on “Sustainability in the Chemical Industry”

At the National Science Foundation (NSF), “sustainability” has been on the rise for several years, and recently the NSF Engineering Directorate established two new programs that are focused on “sustainability.” Background on this rise of sustainability at NSF will be highlighted, as well as prospects for the future.