GVSU takes a leadership role in promoting green chemistry

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) recently joined a group of U.S. universities working together to raise awareness regarding the growing field of green chemistry. GVSU is among the first to sign the national Green Chemistry Commitment, an agreement that states all chemistry majors, by the time they graduate, will have proficiency in green chemistry. Green chemistry focuses on understanding how chemicals affect health and the environment as well as lessening the toxicity and hazards of chemicals. Also, GVSU is one of a handful of universities in the U.S to offer a green chemistry certification program, which began in 2011.

According to Dalila Kovacs, professor of chemistry, "green chemistry" provides a win-win for students and employers.

Kovacs says the students are "very interested," and the discipline is increasingly getting exposure within the private sector thanks to organizations like the Green Chemistry Alliance (GCA) and the Michigan Green Chemistry Clearinghouse. Michigan employers Dow Chemical and Steelcase are among the initial signatories.

Kovacs says the long-term thinking that comes out of understanding the principles of green chemistry is critical for students entering the workplace today, especially with the increased emphasis on the triple-bottom line and sustainability. 

"The obvious idea is that people should think about consequences before they design something. You start by not destroying," she says.

To learn more about green chemistry, you can visit the alliance site here. To learn more about the initiatives in Michigan, you can visit the clearinghouse site here. Check out the GVSU program here.

Source: Dalila Kovacs, GVSU; GVSU press release
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor