Green Chemistry and Engineering is providing chemists and engineers with a unique and golden opportunity to play a central role in making sustainable development a reality. Sustainability is the concept where one generation in society moves forward in a manner that leaves neither the economy nor the environment any worse off for succeeding generations - and perhaps even improves both. This is a tall order by any measure or stretch of the imagination.

Industrial ecology, or the science of sustainability, provides the framework within which pollution prevention, design for the environment, and green chemistry operate. Green chemistry is central to implementing this systems approach for development based on the ecological model from the natural world. The challenge is to use design to develop chemicals, materials and products that are safe and healthy and flow in sustainable material cycle.

Laurens presentation described "The Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry" and illustrated them with real-world examples. Lauren showed how chemists and engineers in businesses ranging from manufacturing cleaning products and coatings to running shoes and fabrics are participating in the highly important global dialogue and activities underway related to sustainability.

We were encouraged by the number of non-chemists that attended this public event - including several people who had never been to an ACS activity before and representatives from local industry. To bring a note of "celebration" to the event we decorated the meeting room (at the University of Vermont) with green chemistry and "planet earth" balloons. We also sent posters to all the colleges in Vermont in  the weeks proceeding earth day to promote the idea that "Chemists Celebrate Earth Day". Discussions continued over dinner provided by the New England Culinary Institute.