Building the New Green Economy from the Ground Up

When: Friday, May 6, 2011

Where: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA

RSVP REQUIRED. To register, visit: bit.ly/molecules-to-movements-may-6 or contact Patty Ochoa at 213-689-9170, [email protected]

The U.S. chemical industry is the largest in the world accounting for 25% of all chemical production, with more than 63% of chemical production centered in 10 states, including California. Yet, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that only about 10% of the 85,000 chemicals that are registered in the United States, have undergone even limited tests to assess their health effects on humans prior to being put on the market.

More and more research is showing a connection between chemical exposure and childhood cancers, neurodevelopmental problems, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorders in children. Furthermore, some studies have shown that some chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, possibly contributing to early onset puberty.

Green chemistry is a philosophy that encourages the design of products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances. Imagine if we made products benign by design that did not create hazardous waste, expose workers, communities or consumers to toxic chemicals – these are the kinds of challenges that Green Chemistry calls us to address.

From Molecules to Movements: Building the New Green Economy from the Ground Up, will explore how Green Chemistry solutions can help revitalize southern California’s economy and strengthen efforts for an effective Green Chemistry Initiative in California. We need to provide leadership in training the next generation of chemists, and laying the regulatory framework for promoting Green Chemistry innovations that help California to truly create the new green economy.  Finding solutions to complex problems such as revitalizing our economy, protecting public health and the environment, requires that we work across disciplines and breaks down traditional silos. Our goal is to spark creative interdisciplinary thinking that can lead us toward the healthy and vibrant communities.

Download the flyer (pdf).

Featuring keynote speaker, John Warner, PhD, at 9:30 AM

John Warner is the President and Chief Technology Officer of the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry and the Beyond Benign Foundation. He is considered the cofounder of the field of Green Chemistry (with Paul Anastas). Warner has published nearly 200 patents, papers and books in a wide range of technical applications, demonstrating the commercial viability of sustainable technologies based on the 12 principles of Green Chemistry.

Agenda In Brief (subject to change)

9:00 AM – Continental Breakfast – Welcome, introductions
9:30 AM – Keynote – Dr. John Warner, Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry
11:00 AM – Panel Presentation
12:00 PM – Working Lunch – Panel Presentation 2, Roundtable Discussions
3:00 PM – Closing

This event is made possible by support from the Public Health Trust and the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation.