Chemists Celebrate Earth Day

Chemists Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day was first officially recognized on April 22, 1970 as a way to demonstrate support for a healthy environment and to make the planet a better place, raise awareness about environmental issues, and remind people that we all need to contribute to a sustainable planet.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) observes Earth Day with the Chemists Celebrate Earth Day (CCED) program. ACS offers a suite of events, contests and educational resources that can be used by ACS members, chemical educators, and chemistry enthusiasts to illustrate the positive role that chemistry plays in the world.

For years, chemists have been promoting a better world through recyclable plastics, cleaner-burning fuels, phosphate-free detergents, environmental monitoring, and green chemistry initiatives. ACS joined the Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2003. There have been annual Chemists Celebrate Earth Day (CCED) events ever since.

Each year, ACS highlights one of four general topics (water, air, plants/soil or recycling) and chooses a specific “theme name” under the topic to focus the CCED celebration.

ACS local sections, Student Affiliates Chapters and divisions take part in the celebration, particularly the annual community event. Additionally, hands-on activities have been developed for CCED celebrations, and it is hoped that ACS members, chemical educators and chemistry enthusiasts will use them to illustrate the positive role that chemistry plays in the world.