2011, International Year of Chemistry ... Green (Against the syndrome of "no use")
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often are cautioned rightly against the familiar syndrome of "boiled frog" (or "nothing happens"), we does remain insensitive to apparent "small changes" ... that accumulate to create a serious situation of irreversible collapse if we do not react in time. The fight against climate change climate and, more generally, against the current situation of planetary emergency, in this syndrome is one of the worst obstacles, it is therefore necessary to insist again and again against the liability arising.
spoken much less, however, another syndrome of opposite but equally negative effects. could call the syndrome of "no use" or, worse, "can not do anything" . It's a feeling that we are assaulted each time addressing the serious problems facing humanity, our actions, our efforts do not give the desired result. We are mobilized in 2009, for example, pressure on political leaders in order to reach the necessary Copenhagen fair and binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gases and the result was disappointing. No wonder many bitterly exclaim "can not do anything." And the small steps, such as those achieved in Cancun next year, are as far as necessary, re-affirm "no avail".
Is it really so? Do not be happening as in the case of the boiled frog syndrome, but in reverse? Did not work with an insistent, unavailable to the "no good" that generated repeated failures, as was finally the ban on Freon destroying the ozone layer? One suspects that we are underestimating the "small" advances rather than continue to insist until achieving the required cumulative effect. Both
thinking here "nothing happens", as believing that the situation is so bad that "you can not do anything," lead to passivity and we can condemn the social and environmental collapse. Both syndromes have to be fought. But what does this have to do with the International Year of Chemistry? Some history, ie some perspective, will help us understand.
year 2005, launched the Decade of Education for a future and so stenible was also the International Year of Physics (IDA) , coinciding with the centennial of the call "Annus Mirabilis" in which Albert Einstein published several works that have profoundly influenced modern physics. The fundamental objective of the IDA was "bring science to society and motivate young people to build the next generation scientists ". Neither in its call or its development was reference to the decade or socio-environmental problems and the need and possibility of the contribution of physics to solve them.
Now six years after the convening of the International Year Chemistry (AIQ) , coinciding with the centenary of the Nobel Prize awarded to Marie Curie for their contributions to chemistry, has very different characteristics. It's not just a matter of "increasing public appreciation of chemistry as a key tool to meet the needs of society, to promote interest in chemistry among young people, and generate enthusiasm by the creative future of chemistry ". The commemoration is intended to "emphasize the chemical contribution to sustainability", ie "to solving global problems and essential humanity, such as climate change, food, water, health, energy transportation. "
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Moreover, the call has been an occasion for self reflection, to appeal to the scientific community to an assumption of ethical responsibility involved in research, innovation and education in the field of chemistry. As stated Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, "The responsible development and rational use of chemistry are essential to meet the challenges of today: how to feed a population which increases each year, how to improve your health and how to develop sustainably. The International Year of Chemistry should provide us an opportunity to reflect deeply on these issues, "adding: " We have to relearn how to responsibly use the immense possibilities offered by the chemistry with the aim of preserving and life-changing for the common good. "
As we see, the differences between the International Year of Physics (2005) and the Chemistry (2011) reflect a significant change in the scientific community in regard to the focus on the emergency planet. This evolution is reflected in all the proposed green chemistry as a contribution to a truly sustainable development, a Green Economy , Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General has described as "The Great Machine green jobs boost is necessary and possible. Nothing
allow us then to continue saying "no good, you can not do anything." On the contrary, a minimal approach shows the validity of informed activism and the need to continue efforts as scientists, educators and citizens. The International Year of Chemistry " incorporate deserves the title of "Green." It deserves to culminate next December with the signing of the protocol in Durban for the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases already foreshadowed in Cancun. If we break with ignorance and indifference ("nothing happens") and discouragement ("no good") together we can achieve.
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Educators for sustainability
Bulletin No. 61, February 24, 2011
http://www.oei.es/decada/boletin061.php
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