Green Chemistry in Minnesota:
05/14/2008
Opportunities and Challenges for LeadershipWednesday, May 28, 2008
8:30-5:00
Cowles Auditorium
Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
University of Minnesota
Registration required, $25 to attend
Hosted by the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, with principal financial support from 3M.
As fuel prices skyrocket and the costs of carbon emissions and other pollution increase, the win-win of moving Minnesota's economy to a more sustainable foundation gets ever more clear. Greener technologies promise new jobs, as well as new markets for everyone from farmers to high tech businesses. At the same time, the concept of "green chemistry" is gaining strength, nationally and internationally. Simply put, green chemistry means coming up with consumer and commercial products and ways of making them that will intentionally reduce or eliminate toxic substances altogether. And, because Green Chemistry's core principles also include energy efficiency and waste reduction, these approaches often result in significant savings going straight to a manufacturer's bottom line.
Minnesota is beautifully positioned to help lead the nation into this sustainable, Green Chemistry future. Its intellectual resources include leading companies and learning centers in medicine, medical products, research and development, renewable fuels, engineering and manufacturing. And, of course, Minnesota's rural economy remains vital, with enormous potential for growing renewable feedstocks based on Minnesota crops that could help replace our intensive use of imported fossil fuels, not only as fuels but as building blocks for plastics, building materials and other products.
This conference will bring together researchers, teachers, business leaders, farmers, advocates and policy makers from around the state to discuss the opportunities and challenges for Minnesota to become a leader in green chemistry, in green engineering and in this more sustainable future. We will ask members of business, academia and public policy what specifically their organizations could contribute to advancing this future, and what help they need from other sectors to reach their goals.
The program also will include:
A video conversation with three national experts:
Terry Collins, Ph.D, Director, Institute for Green Science, Carnegie Mellon University, and first professor to offer a course in Green Chemistry
Paul T. Anastas, Ph. D., Director, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering, Yale University, and green chemistry pioneer
John Warner, Ph.D., Director, Center for Green Chemistry, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and founder of the world’s first Green Chemistry Ph.D. program
- Hear from David Wallinga, MD, MPA, Director of the Food and Health Program, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy about the opportunity for a “triple win” for Minnesota
The registration deadline is May 23rd
To register or for more information visit: http://www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/stpp/events/green_chemistry
Students may contact Sophia Ginis (gini0003) with questions about financial assistance.