Interdisciplinarity facing environmental challenges

Should researchers in chemistry, history, sociology, economics, etc. join forces to find solutions to the ecological and energy challenges?
Scientists from the CNRS and a number of universities have come together in a novel, interdisciplinary approach. They chose to take a close look at five chemical entities that are particularly involved in energy transition scenarios: carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, ammonia and plastics. Using a multidisciplinary cross-analysis, they have shown that options that are technologically desirable from a disciplinary point of view turn out to be ecologically, socially or economically damaging. In this way, the scientists have shown that only an in-depth dialogue between disciplines can reveal these tensions and provide viable solutions for the future.

This work was the subject of a brief in the 25/06/2024 edition of “En direct des labos” and an article in CNRS Chimie:
https://www.inc.cnrs.fr/fr/cnrsinfo/un-dialogue-entre-chimie-et-sciences-humaines-et-sociales-pour-faire-face-aux-enjeux

To find out more:

Prévot et al., Chem. Sci., 2024,15, 9054-9086
http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=D4SC00099D

Contacts at Ircelyon: Elsje Alessandra Quadrelli et Mathieu Prévot