Abstract
The current research on systems thinking criticizes the additive nature of green chemistry (GC) not being supportive of systems thinking to achieve holism in its practices. This paper argues that systems thinking should comprise of the social issues, and, therefore, it studies renowned papers by GC pioneers and reviews on the field regarding how they address the social dimension of sustainability. It points out how GC has ignored social sustainability in its discourses, practices, and evaluations, leading to a reductionist interpretation of sustainability. Then, this paper presents some challenges to be overcome in order to achieve balanced sustainability. A systemic chemical thinking is advocated, considering chemistry in culture and chemistry as culture, expanding the chemistry rationality from ontological and technological dimensions into the epistemological and ethical ones. It is then discussed how chemistry education can help to promote sustainability in a broad and systemic way.
Highlights
A quarter of a century after the emergence of green chemistry (GC), it has been verified that its practices towards sustainable chemistry may be more incremental than transformative if the twelve principles are not considered as a cohesive system setting the hows and whys of chemistry practice [1,2,3]
Concerns have arisen from the genesis of GC amidst the industrial system, and from its definition, which emphasizes the compatibilization of economy and environment [6], as stated by Anastas and Beach, “It has been said that the term green chemistry was derived from the dual connotations of the word “green” concerned with the environment and the color of the US dollar
Twenty-four papers were carefully chosen from the Green Chemistry Journal, relating GC and social sustainability
Summary
A quarter of a century after the emergence of green chemistry (GC), it has been verified that its practices towards sustainable chemistry may be more incremental than transformative if the twelve principles are not considered as a cohesive system setting the hows and whys of chemistry practice [1,2,3]. Concerns have arisen from the genesis of GC amidst the industrial system, and from its definition, which emphasizes the compatibilization of economy and environment [6], as stated by Anastas and Beach, “It has been said that the term green chemistry was derived from the dual connotations of the word “green” concerned with the environment and the color of the US dollar. There is an additional connotation of the word “green,” which is young, fresh, and new” ([7], p. 20)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
