In honor of the 40th Earth Day celebration, The American Chemistry Council (ACC) put together a fact sheet highlighting the American chemistry industry's contributions to helping eradicate climate change and champion energy conservation.
According to the ACC, the chemistry industry invests $48 billion in research and development annually, more than any other industry. On top of that, the industry invested $14 billion in environmental health and safety programs last year.
The fruits of investment come in many forms, including energy savings via vinyl windows and vinyl-coated wire and cable. And chemistry-intensive roof coatings that help reflect solar heat away from the rooftop, thus promoting cooler indoor spaces.
Additionally, solar power relies on chlorine and silicon-based materials and other chemistry products and "low rolling resistance" tires are made by adding chemistry products – silica and polysulfidosilanes – to tire tread to help increase fuel efficiency.
And not only is the American chemistry industry helping others lower their carbon footprints, it is also walking the walk: It reduced its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 16% between 1990 and 2008. It also reduced its fuel and power energy consumed per unit of output by nearly half since 1974.
Congratulations on a job well done. . . now let's gear up for the next Earth Day celebration. What is your company doing to champion energy conservation?
Traci Purdum
Senior Digital Editor