The American Chemical Society’s efforts in human rights

Change is not easy and not always wanted. But change happens, and we, as chemists, must work with it toward bettering the lives of people in the world—even when the science involved is not accepted by some. In 2015, the members of the United Nations (UN) launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , which put forward a plan of action for the planet and its people to prosper peacefully. The plan specifically outlined sustainable development goals (SDGs) to demonstrate how to help manage endeavors to improve our situation on Earth for the benefit of all humankind. The SDGs are urgent calls to action and, in many ways, are efforts to improve the human rights of every individual on this planet. The 17 SDGs, through their supporting information, include an enormous number of opportunities that involve chemistry—not surprising since we know that chemistry is a central science. Indeed, the American