2011 International Year of Chemistry Videos (IYC2011)

York College of Pennsylvania has been working with the American Chemical Society to make a series of videos to promote the International Year of Chemistry.  They are based on the four quarters of the year: Water, Energy, Materials, and Medicine.  We are also posting videos from our time at COP17. All of these videos can also be seen on our YouTube channel: IYC2011. 

Canada's youth group makes a statement

Here is a video of six canadian youth group members turning their back's to the Canadian Environmental Minister Peter Kent during a press conference on December 7th after Minister Kent announces Canada will not be making a second commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.

Chemistry and the 
Low-Carbon Economy

Courtesy of AmericanChemistry

The chemistry industry is a key player in developing a low carbon economy. This new video from the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) highlights the many ways in which products made from chemistry help reduce carbon emissions.

Ode to Kyoto

Courtesy of healthyplanetuk

"We love the Kyoto Protocol. It's the only legally binding climate treaty we have and - although it's not perfect - it's an essential bridge to a fully comprehensive and legally binding deal.

A small handful of countries want to kill Kyoto. We're not going to let - we will fight for you Kyoto."

COP17 Fossil Award - 
Dec 7 2011

The Fossil Award at COP 17 in Durban, South Africa - the Climate Action Network "awards" countries that have held up negotiations the most throughout the day. The US comes away with 1st and a tie for 2nd with the EU. CAN always puts on a great performance. You can read more about the specifics of the performance at: http://www.climatenetwork.org/fossil-of-the-day/us-wins-first-place-fossil-an...

Electric Scooter Test

Matt DeNardo is at COP17 for the ACS going on a test drive for this really cool electric scooter. Watch it squeal around turns on this closed course. 

COP17 Fossil Award - 
Dec 5 2011

The Fossil Award at COP 17 in Durban, South Africa - the Climate Action Network "awards" countries that have held up negotiations the most throughout the day. The US is awarded 3rd place, Saudi Arabia 2nd place, and New Zealand and Russia share 1st prize. CAN puts on a great performance with their tongue in cheek attitude. You can read more about this at http://www.climatenetwork.org/fossil-of-the-day/russia-and-new-zealand-take-first-saudi-arabia-receives-second-usa-third

Coal Executive Panel

There was a panel discussion about coal at the 17th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC. Matt DeNardo (representing the American Chemical Society) poses a question to the panel asking about investment in renewable sources of energy.

Interpretive Dance Performers in Durban

At the 17th Conference of Parties (COP 17) for the UNFCCC there were a group of performers telling a creation story about man. They explain how man got to the place he is today. It was overall a warning of how perilous our environmental situation is now. However, this clip just shows the making of sun and the moon depicted in a romantic and graceful performance. 

YCP interview Pieter Tans

Patrick Lestrange and Kiersten DeBlaker interviewed senior researcher Pieter Tans at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in August 2011. They were in Colorado for the fall ACS meeting in Denver and made a trip over to Boulder for the interview. Listen to Dr. Tans talk about his work with greenhouse gases and talk about climate change.

Energy

From coal and nuclear power to renewable energy, this video will show the different facets of American electricity production.  The footage is taken from several facilities throughout the greater York and Susquehanna Valley area.  Sources like coal and natural gas are easily stored and burned to produce electricity, but release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  Renewable sources do not pollute the environment, but their power is not easily stored.  More research needs to be done into renewable energy sources into to make them a more viable alternative.  

Water

This video is about water and what goes into purifying and transporting it to our homes.  Footage comes from the York Water Company and a panel discussion that took place at York College.  The panel discussion took place after a documentary, One Water, was shown on campus.  The entire panel discussion is also online and can be seen here.