By 2050, our planet will be a vastly different place. It will be home to an additional 2 to 3 billion people. There will be 10 to 20 percent fewer grasslands and forests, and reactive nitrogen, which increases atmospheric ozone levels, will have increased by 66 percent.
At the December 1 closing event for the 2011 International Year of Chemistry (IYC), industry leaders, policy makers, scientists and students from around the world gathered to debate and discuss a vision for a sustainable world in the year 2050. This future, enabled by chemistry, includes a healthy, productive and prosperous life for all, with access to clean drinking water, affordable energy, nutritious food and clean air.
At Dow, we are already creating solutions for a more sustainable future, by helping develop paints that scrub the formaldehyde from the air, designing intelligent packaging that keeps food fresher longer and communicates its condition, as well as more efficient batteries to power vehicles.
The next generation of chemists will help us continue on this trajectory. This requires an increased appreciation of chemistry in our classrooms, and inspiring students to pursue a solid foundation in math, science, engineering and technology (STEM). IYC has provided a platform to support education at every level — from engaging youth in the power of chemistry, to supporting international student explorations of chemistry.
Dow's vision for 2050 is one in which innovation and collaboration create chemistry solutions that enable whole economies to transform to meet the opportunities for cleaner, healthier, greener growth.