Top topics – climate
Plants bind carbon from the carbon dioxide in the air for a certain period of time. Pyrolysis of plant residues binds it for longer. The product can be used in agriculture to strengthen enzymes and microorganisms involved in photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. Article by Aaron Ertler in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/kohlenstoff-fixieren-4136588)
The Swiss company Climeworks is building facilities that separate CO2 from ambient air. In the interview, Carlos Härtel, Senior Technology Advisor to the Managing Directors, explains how the process known as Direct Air Capture works and why he considers the chemical industry an important partner. Interview by Uta Neubauer in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Access for members in the GDCh app at https://gdch.app/article/es-ist-zu-viel-co2-in-der-luft-und-einer-muss-es-rausholen-4136774)
The chemical industry and chemical science require energy and carbon sources, emit greenhouse gases and at the same time offer innovations for reducing emissions. Sectors such as electricity generation, production, transport and heating must work together across disciplines and prioritise measures to reduce CO2 emissions. Article by Joachim von Heimburg, Emil Roduner, Klaus‐Dieter Franz, Wolfgang Huebinger, Thomas Osterland in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free Access) to the article in the GDCh app.
In autumn 2022, explosions caused leaks in the two Baltic Sea pipelines Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. As a result of this act of sabotage, a gas that had somewhat fallen out of focus in the debate about the anthropogenic greenhouse effect and the role of carbon dioxide suddenly attracted public attention: methane as a component of the atmosphere and a climate-relevant trace gas. Article by Peter Wiesen and Niklas Illmann in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free Access) to the article in the GDCh app.
Hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl radicals and thus affects the lifetime of methane in the atmosphere. This effect is currently negligible because of the small amounts of hydrogen in the atmosphere. However, if hydrogen is used as an energy carrier in the future, this could change. Article by Reinhard Zellner in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. (Free Access) to the article in the GDCh app.
On 19 October 2022, the societies united in the “Science Connects” alliance (GDCh as well as DPG, DVGeo, DMV and VBIO) invited guests to a joint Parliamentary evening in Berlin. A total of 33 Members of the German Bundestag, as well as assistants and advisers to Members of Parliament, learned about the expertise available in mathematics and the natural sciences and current approaches to solving the challenges facing us. The focus was on individual discussions at thematic tables covering “Materials and raw materials”, “Energy storage and distribution”, “Energy generation”, “Climate modelling”, “Greenhouse gas reduction” and “Resilience and sustainability”.
Article by Henning Hopf, Alain Krief, Stephen A. Matlin and Goverdhan Mehta in Nachrichten aus der Chemie. Article in the GDCh app
Four major mathematical and scientific societies in Germany, including the German Chemical Society, are calling on policymakers and business to take decisive action against climate change. They refer to the scientific findings available, which require more determined action. Further information in a press release.
As part of its factsheet series, the German Chemical Society has published several factsheets since April 2020 containing accessible information on relevant subject areas. See the factsheet Climate change: Small molecules – major impact!
A discussion paper by Reinhard Zellner, special print of the articleIn the Factsheet series, the German Chemical Society has published several factsheets since April 2020 containing accessible information on relevant subject areas. from Nachrichten aus der Chemie
Published in May 2019; Download PDF (1.9 MB)
An article in Nachrichten aus der Chemie on the Chemistry, Air Quality and Climate Working Committee (CLK) by Peter Wiesen, Wuppertal, and Reinhard Zellner, Essen, Chairs of the CLK committee. See the article
The global community reached agreement in Paris: climate protection is a global obligation. There is no longer any doubt about the anthropogenic cause of climate change or the need to keep it within limits. This goes further than previous decisions by the negotiating partners and is therefore a success. At least politically, and in people’s minds. But what can we really expect? A statement by Prof. Dr. Reinhard Zellner, Chair of the GDCh/Dechema/DBG Joint Committee on Chemistry, Air Quality and Climate. See the press release