Global science

Experiments, articles and profiles that show the worldwide scope and impact of chemistry.

A pile of polystyrene takeaway food containers

Life cycle assessment of fast-food containers

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Examining the environmental impact of single-use takeaway packaging

Calla lillies on a green background

How science can make burial, cremation and memorial greener

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Does alkaline hydrolysis offer a more sustainable approach?

A small green inchworm caterpillar walking on a large red fruit

Alternatives to agrochemicals

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Find out how developments in pest control will secure future food production

Global issues

Discarded plastic and other rubbish floating on the surface of water, with fish visible below

The massive problem of microplastics

As plastics fill up and pollute our oceans, recognising their value rather than thinking of them as disposable could help us deal with what has turned into a large, global problem

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Grand challenges set for science students

New competition asks young people to explore solutions for global health and development issues

A globe

Good chemistry

There are all sorts of ways chemists can use their skills to aid global development, writes Josh Howgego

Climate research heats up

Climate research heats up

Nina Notman meets some of the atmospheric chemists fitting the pieces of the climate change jigsaw together

Spraying crops

Set a fungus to catch a fungus

Ian Le Guillou finds out how the success of the synthetic organic fungicide azoxystrobin showcases the importance of organic chemistry to global food production

Experiments

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A global experiment from the technician’s cupboard

Jan Hodge, technician at a middle school, talks about carrying out the Royal Society of Chemistry's global experiment

A fisherman in Baucau, East Timor, casts a net in the water to catch small fish

Water: A chemical solution

A Global Experiment for the International Year of Chemistry

Resources

Small bowls of different fermented foods - gherkins, sour cream, kimchi, kombucha, saurkraut

Why fermented foods are good for your gut – and your teaching

From kimchi to kefir, tuck into the complex chemistry of fermentation and its health potential

A man holding his nose with a disgusted expression

Sniffing out the science of smells

What makes a bad smell smell bad? Sniff out the chemical culprits behind obnoxious odours

Profiles

Charles West

Charles West: Research geochemist

Ida Emilie Steinmark talks to a chemist who gave up a career as a footballer

Young, female archaeologist sifting through soil

Amy Styring: Chemist and archaeologist

Archaeology is more than just digging. Emma Stoye meets Amy Styring to excavate the facts

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Oliver Holton: Graduate trainee at Johnson Matthey

Chemistry can take you around the world and into a range of careers. Ian Le Guillou finds out about Oliver Holton’s journey through chemistry