The American Chemical Society (ACS) today released a package of seven podcasts in observation of Earth Day 2010 (April 22), the 40th anniversary of this landmark event. The podcasts reflect the theme of this year’s ACS “Chemists Celebrate Earth Day Program” — Plants -The Green Machines! — with a focus on the chemistry and uses of plants.
One episode is a new high-definition video podcast based on content from ChemMatters, ACS’ award-winning high school chemistry magazine. The podcast highlights how scientists are developing “green” plastics using plant materials. By 2020, these “bioplastics” could provide an environmentally friendly alternative for about one-fifth of the estimated 200 billion pounds of plastics manufacturers produce each year worldwide, the video notes. It is available at www.BytesizeScience.com.
The six other Earth Day podcasts are special audio episodes of ACS’ award-winning Bytesize Science program. The podcasts include the following topics:
• Plant-based medicines, part 1
• Plant-based medicines, part 2
• Pollution-fighting plants
• Plants as “green” machines
• Cleaning up heavy metals
• Energy
The audio podcasts are available at http://www.bytesizescience.com/index.cfm/2010/4/20/A-special-batch-of-Earth-Day-Bytesize-Science-Podcasts.
Source: American Chemical Society
