Oladipupo Awojobi 
Emerging Climate Change
As the world grapples with the threats posed by climate change to human existence, a group of experts recently gathered at a conference for five days to brainstorm on this emerging threat to humanity and the environment as well as seek solutions to this pressing issue.
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today. It refers to significant and lasting changes in the Earth’s climate and weather patterns. These changes are primarily driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, which increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Threats
The impacts of climate change are already being felt across the globe, affecting ecosystems, economies, and human wellbeing. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting natural carbon sinks, and building resilient communities, we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change and create a sustainable future for generations to come. Speaking at the five-day conference, where the issue was discussed, the ViceChancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Prof. Oluwole Banjo, underscored the critical need for collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders to achieve a low-carbon future.
Banjo’s remarks came during the fiveday Virtual Green Chemistry Conference hosted by More Green Plus, with support from “Beyond Benign,” which made the event possible. The event held at the university premises between May 20 and 24, 2024. The conference, themed; Innovating with Chemistry in the 21st Century, drew scientists from 45 universities across the world.
Green Chemistry
Banjo observed that Green Chemistry is pivotal in addressing environmental pollution and climate change. The Vice Chancellor emphasised that, developing environmentally friendly chemical processes is the only viable solution to the ongoing environmental crisis. “Green Chemistry offers the only solution to address issues of climate change,” he added.
He noted that the conference provided a platform for participants to explore diverse aspects of green chemistry, such as biofuels and life-cycle assessments, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these innovations. Dr Oyesolape Basirat Akinsipo and Dr Oluwaseun Anselm were the Convener and Moderators of the Virtual Conference and National Inter-University Competition (VCNIUC) on Green Chemistry, Tai Solarin University of Education, 2024.
Inter-university competition
Running alongside the conference was the Inter-university Competition, which took place between May 22 and 23, 2024. The competition aimed to foster innovation and collaboration in green chemistry among Nigerian academic institutions. Twenty institutions of higher learning across Nigeria were invited, reflecting a broad commitment to environmental stewardship.
Despite global challenges, 15 institutions actively participated, showcasing their dedication to Green Chemistry through innovative research and projects. At the end of the competition, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, came top, while Koladaisi University, Omuni, was the first runner up and the third position was won by the Federal University, Wukari.
These institutions distinguished themselves with outstanding contributions to Green Chemistry and sustainability, setting a high standard for academic excellence. The Inter-University Competition sponsored by the Beyond Benign on Green Chemistry Initiatives serves as a platform for students and faculty to collaborate, innovate, and tackle pressing environmental challenges through interdisciplinary research and projects.
The event aimed to inspire future leaders and innovators committed to creating a sustainable future. The keynote speakers at the event were Associate Professor Temilola Oluseyi, a renowned expert, who spoke on; Green Chemistry and Global Health: Creating a Safer and Cleaner Future; followed by Professor Enock Olugbenga Dare, of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, dealt extensively on Green Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Circular Economy as a Nexus towards a Sustainable Future. Professor Agbaje Lateef of the Department of Microbiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, spoke on; From Lab to Market: Nanotechnology Innovations.
Paving the way
In an inspiring keynote address at the conference, Professor Lateef delved into the transformative potential of Green Chemistry and Nanotechnology. Lateef highlighted how these advanced fields could pave the way for sustainable industrial practices. The scholar began by underscoring the essential contributions of chemistry and chemical engineering to human progress. However, he did not shy away from acknowledging the significant downsides, such as the creation of xenobiotics and other recalcitrant products, the use of hazardous processes, and the generation of considerable waste.
These traditional methods are not only energy-intensive but also expensive and environmentally detrimental. He said that in response to these issues, there has been a global shift towards sustainability and eco-friendly processes. Green chemistry, which focuses on developing degradable and cost-effective products, aligns with the principles of the circular economy. According to him, “Here, waste from one process becomes the raw material for another, reducing overall environmental impact.
“The American Chemical Society has outlined 12 principles of Green Chemistry, which serve as a foundation for sustainable practices without departing from the core disciplines of Chemistry. “New fields such as computational chemistry and material science are emerging, contributing to the broader knowledge base,” he said. Lateef then transitioned to Nanotechnology, a science that operates at the nano-scale, one billionth of a meter. He explained that nanomaterials, whether naturally occurring or engineered, exhibit unique properties due to their high surface area to volume ratio.
This characteristic endows them with distinctive physical and chemical activities, making them incredibly valuable across various industries. Tracing the origins of nanotechnology, he mentioned Richard Feynman’s pioneering 1959 lecture; There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom; and highlighted the contributions of Norio Taniguchi and Eric Drexler in popularising the field. Nanotechnology, through its ability to reduce materials to nano-scale, transforms their properties, offering new possibilities for innovation.
The Professor further described the two primary approaches to fabricating nanomaterials: The top-down method, which breaks down larger molecules, and the bottom-up method, which assembles atoms into nanomaterials. He emphasised the advantages of the biological method, a component of Green Chemistry, for its simplicity, ecofriendliness, and cost-effectiveness.
“Nanotechnology’s applications are vast, spanning agriculture, medicine, engineering, security, and consumer products,’’ he disclosed. In his research, Lateef has utilised materials from insects and plants to produce nanomaterials for various uses, such as enhancing animal feed, acting as pesticides, and cleaning pollutants from the environment. These innovations are crucial for improving agricultural productivity and addressing environmental challenges.
Sustainable Development Goals
“Nanotechnology’s role extends to fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By mitigating environmental degradation caused by human activities, it offers solutions to critical issues such as climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity. For Nigeria, ‘‘where environmental challenges are pronounced, nanotechnology can be a key tool in driving sustainable development,” he said.
In conclusion, Lateef emphasised that nanotechnology, with its innovative and disruptive capabilities, is essential for achieving a sustainable future. By integrating Green Chemistry and embracing a circular economy, we can address the pressing environmental issues of our time and ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
Safer, cleaner future
Also speaking at the conference, Associate Professor Temilola Oluseyi, delivered a compelling address on the crucial intersection of Green Chemistry and global health. Her discourse, titled; Creating a Safer and Cleaner Future, underscored the transformative potential of Green Chemistry in mitigating environmental pollution and enhancing public health. Oluseyi began by acknowledging the profound insights shared by previous keynote speakers, namely; Professor Lateef Agbaje and Professor Enoch Dare, who elaborated on the applications of Green Chemistry in nanotechnology, medicine, agriculture, and remote sensing.
Building on their discussions, Prof. Oluseyi focused on laying the foundational principles of Green Chemistry and its pivotal role in improving occupational safety and public health. Highlighting the shortcomings of traditional chemistry practices, Oluseyi detailed how conventional chemical processes frequently involve hazardous substances, volatile organic compounds, and toxic solvents. These substances, she explained, often lead to significant environmental contamination, affecting air, water, and ecosystems.
Moreover, workers in chemical plants are at risk of severe health issues, including respiratory problems, kidney damage, and skin disorders, due to exposure to these toxic chemicals. “The traditional approach to Chemistry, which relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane,” noted the Professor. Further; “These emissions not only drive climate change but also deteriorate air quality, leading to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problems.”
One striking example she provided was the environmental and health impact of pesticides and herbicides used in agriculture. Many of these chemicals persist in the environment, contaminating soil, water, and food crops, and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer and reproductive disorders. The issue of plastic pollution was also a significant focus. Oluseyi referred to alarming statistics on plastic waste and its devastating impact on marine life. She recounted a BBC documentary showing a shark that had ingested large amounts of plastic, leading to its death.
“Microplastics are now found in human urine, blood, breast milk, and even brain cells,” she disclosed, even as she highlighted the pervasive nature of this pollution. To combat these issues, Oluseyi championed the principles of Green Chemistry, which aims to design chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous substances. She praised the advancements in Green Chemistry applications discussed by previous speakers, noting their relevance in various fields, including nanotechnology and wastewater treatment.
“Green Chemistry minimises the generation and release of hazardous chemicals,” she asserted. “By modifying our processes, we can significantly reduce the harmful effects on both the environment and human health,” she said. Looking ahead, she called for a concerted effort to transition from traditional to Green Chemistry practices She stressed the need for ongoing research and innovation to develop safer chemical processes and products. “Our goal is a future where chemistry not only advances human knowledge and capabilities but also ensures a healthier planet for all.”
Public health
Oluseyi further stated that the professors that have spoken extensively before her had dwell on the application of Green Chemistry, however, that her approach on this will be on the foundation and bringing the effect of Green Chemistry on improving public health as well as occupational safety and health and how research in Chemistry can be transmitted from the traditional chemistry practices to the Green Chemistry approach.
The scholar stressed that this is what is going to help in having a safer environment as well as tackling public health challenges. Oluseyi then noted; “So, when we talk about Green Chemistry, just like it has been said before, we have what we call the traditional chemistry approach.
“And in the traditional chemistry approach, it involves the use of manufacturing or chemical synthesis or analysis and often time when these are practiced, we make use of volatile organic compounds, hazardous substances, toxic solvents and often times these chemicals that we use for chemical manufacturing or chemical research, they contaminate air, water and also the ecosystem leading to environmental pollution.
“And not just the environmental pollution alone, the workers that carry out this research, or work in these chemical plants, are usually exposed to toxic chemical substances, which could lead to occupational health hazards such as respiratory problems, kidney and dermal issues and also some long-term health complications. “Every chemical process that we do, whether small scale or large scale as has been pointed out earlier, would always generate large quantities of waste by-products such as toxic gases.
The chemicals of the solvents that we use can be released and flushed down the drain and such can contaminate wastewater with some heavy metals and some organic contaminant.’’ She stated that when this happens, it gets into the food chain and people can get exposed through different pathways, which she said could be by ingestion in eating food that is contaminated with chemicals or through inhalation or dermal contact, especially occupational exposures.
The accumulations of these chemical substances in landfills or dumpsites, she said, can also leach these harmful substances into groundwater and that exacerbates the environmental and health concerns. For her; “The traditional chemistry that we rely on or the ones that have been in practice relies on fossil fuels and many at times these fossil fuels production release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane and some other pollutants during this chemical process.
“And when these gases are emitted into the environment, you know we talk about climate change and of course, there is air quality deterioration and that has led to a lot of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, people having high blood pressure and also some endocrines disruptions and every other health problem that people that are exposed to this can be exposed to. “So the conventional or traditional chemistry without practicing them with green chemistry can also be seen in the case of pesticides and the use of herbicides in agriculture.”
She added that many of these pesticides and herbicides that have been used traditionally, some of them have led to environmental contamination and negative health effects. According to her, that is why there are still some convention meaning such that some of these chemicals that have been used as pesticides and herbicides in agricultural use have been banned because it has been found that many of these pesticides are persistent in the environment and they can accumulate in the soil, water and food crops and thereby they’ve been posing health risk to human, to the aquatic environment and even wildlife.
This is as she noted; “And many of these exposures from pesticides and herbicides have been linked to various health problems such as cancer, urological disorders and some other reproductive issues. “Similarly, a lot has been said about plastic production, and traditional chemistry without focusing on green chemistry that relies on petrochemicals are being derived from fossil fuels and of course, we have a lot of plastics in circulation. Professor Dare gave a huge statistics of plastics that we have in the environment, they are littered everywhere and they result to marine pollution, habitat disruption and they are harmful too to the maritime lives.
“I once watched a documentary on BBC where a huge shark died and was 2:24:49- 2:24:52. Of course, in that part of the world, where that happened, they had to open up the sea animal to investigate what led to the death of the animal, only for them to see a lot of plastics and nylons that this sea animal had ingested and because they see it as food and as they consume them, they lead to loss of biodiversity and marine animals. “On these microplastics, we know that the breakdown does not remain as a whole forever.
They break down and become permissive in the environment and they’ve caused a lot of human health risk. “There have been concerns or issues of seeing microplastics in urine, in blood, and in breast milk. Even, I read a journal recently where micro plastics have been found in the brain cells.” The Professor said that we are constantly exposed to the risk of these micro plastics as a result of the traditional chemistry that has been practiced and have been involved in the release of plastics.
According to her; “a lot has been said about green chemistry, so when we consider the importance of environmental health, we have to look for a way we can minimise the adverse effects of the traditional chemical industries on the environment and human health by modifying the processes of what we do in chemistry. “So green chemistry has been defined as the application of a set of principles with the aid to reduce or eliminate the release or generation of hazardous substances whenever we design, manufacture or apply chemical products.
“The importance of green chemistry cannot be overemphasised as there are many of them. I will just highlight a few: green chemistry minimises the generation and release of hazardous chemicals. “I am happy that the application of green chemistry has been discussed by the fantastic keynote speakers that have spoken before me and they’ve made us to see the world of green chemistry, how it is applicable to different parts of life in nanotechnology, in medicine and of course waste water treatment.
“So the way this is applied in our research or application in industries matters, and there will be minimization in the release of hazardous chemicals to the environment and therefore reduce the harmful effects of these hazardous chemicals in ecosystem.’’ Her presentation concluded with a hopeful vision of Green Chemistry leading the way to a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable world, echoing the sentiment that scientific progress should always align with the wellbeing of both people and the environment.
Grant award
It was put on record that both Dr Akinsipo Oyesolape Basirat and Dr Anselm Oluwaseun of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Department of Chemical Sciences won the; Beyond Benign grant earlier in the year.
