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Socio-Problematization of Green Chemistry: Enriching Systems Thinking and Social Sustainability by Education

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  • Leonardo Marcelino

    (Department of Natural Science-Mathematics-Society (NMS), Malmö University, SE-205 06 Malmö, Sweden
    Departamento de Metodologia de Ensino, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis-SC 88040-900, Brasil)

  • Jesper Sjöström

    (Department of Natural Science-Mathematics-Society (NMS), Malmö University, SE-205 06 Malmö, Sweden)

  • Carlos Alberto Marques

    (Departamento de Metodologia de Ensino, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis-SC 88040-900, Brasil)

Abstract

The current research on systems thinking criticizes the additive nature of green chemistry (GC) not being supportive of systems thinking to achieve holism in its practices. This paper argues that systems thinking should comprise of the social issues, and, therefore, it studies renowned papers by GC pioneers and reviews on the field regarding how they address the social dimension of sustainability. It points out how GC has ignored social sustainability in its discourses, practices, and evaluations, leading to a reductionist interpretation of sustainability. Then, this paper presents some challenges to be overcome in order to achieve balanced sustainability. A systemic chemical thinking is advocated, considering chemistry in culture and chemistry as culture, expanding the chemistry rationality from ontological and technological dimensions into the epistemological and ethical ones. It is then discussed how chemistry education can help to promote sustainability in a broad and systemic way.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Marcelino & Jesper Sjöström & Carlos Alberto Marques, 2019. "Socio-Problematization of Green Chemistry: Enriching Systems Thinking and Social Sustainability by Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:24:p:7123-:d:297133
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rafael Ninno Muniz & Stéfano Frizzo Stefenon & William Gouvêa Buratto & Ademir Nied & Luiz Henrique Meyer & Erlon Cristian Finardi & Ricardo Marino Kühl & José Alberto Silva de Sá & Brigida Ramati Per, 2020. "Tools for Measuring Energy Sustainability: A Comparative Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, May.
    2. Javier Montero-Pau & Nuria Álvaro & Valentín Gavidia & Olga Mayoral, 2020. "Development of Environmental Health Competencies through Compulsory Education. A Polyhedral Approach Based on the SDGs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, April.

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