Environmental Chemistry Lectures Based on System Thinking for University Students

Abstract

This article introduces practical examples of undergraduate-level chemistry-based environmental science lectures and seminars by Prof. Akitsu. Sustainable and ecological issues are closely related to chemical problems, but there are also features that make each item complicated. We will take a structure that links problems and solutions such as the current status of environmental pollution, changes in fossil fuels, merits and demerits of power generation methods, conversion to renewable energy, new fire safety problems, and examples of further environmental pollution. Furthermore, blind solutions cannot address the "trade-off" relationship with a wide field of view, e.g., social scientific issues (cost, safety, and convenience, etc.). In this report, we describe an example where "system thinking" is desired for environmental problems that cannot be solved in a straight line.