Carlos Afonso, Full Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon (FFUL), and Ana Aguiar Ricardo, Full Professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of NOVA University of Lisbon, co-authored an opinion piece published in VISÃO magazine. The article, titled «How can chemistry help build a more sustainable future?», reflects on the crucial importance of chemistry in addressing pressing issues such as climate change, environmental pollution, finite resource management, and access to potable water.
The authors emphasize that while chemistry is indispensable for developing medicines, innovative materials, and resource recovery, it is imperative to rethink production processes. Reducing waste, energy consumption, and raw material usage must be priorities to mitigate environmental impact.
The article highlights the relevance of green chemistry, an approach that aims to prevent environmental impacts from the design stage of molecules, materials, and processes. This philosophy contrasts with merely correcting damage after it occurs, promoting proactive environmental protection.
Additionally, the discussion addresses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics in discovering new materials. However, the authors stress that all innovation must be guided by sustainability criteria, considering the environmental, social, and economic viability of proposed solutions, ensuring their application to concrete societal needs.
This publication stems from Green IUPAC 2026, an international conference dedicated to green chemistry held in Lisbon from September 8th to 12th. The event brought together the scientific community to debate the advancements and challenges inherent in this vital area for the future.
