Its fall already and, as we wind down this year, I find myself looking forward to 2009, as I think it bodes great technological advances. The last 12 months have seen a consistent increase in “green” and “sustainability” themes. Some of this is pure market spin, but a great deal of it is not, and our industry is rising to the challenge of introducing eco-friendly and bio-based products, sustainability, green technology, nanotechnology and green nanotechnology. These themes are the subject of most meetings today, including the recent American Chemical Society meeting. This meeting was very well attended (over 14,000) and included a technical program of over 8,000 papers. Again, green, sustainable and nano themes were quite apparent.

Common use of the term “sustainability” began with the 1987 publication of the World Commission on Environment and Development report, “Our Common Future”. Also known as the Brundtland Report, this document defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The sustainability concept encompasses ideas, aspirations and values that continue to inspire public and private organizations to become better stewards of the environment and to promote positive economic growth and social objectives. The principles of sustainability can stimulate technological innovation, advance competitiveness and improve our quality of life.

We have significant breakthroughs in nanotechnology each week – the development pace is truly extraordinary. Approximately $147 billion worth of goods were produced last year, and the projections are in the trillions. Roughly three to five new products are introduced weekly. C&EN just reported gold nanoparticles 1.4 nm in diameter that can catalyze selective oxidation reactions without the help of additives. We even have a week in October called International Nanotechnology week, which highlights advances in nanoscience and its impact on industry. The frustration, however, is the lack of regulatory oversight and the consequent potential ramifications. Government agencies and Congress do not seem to know what to do with these new technologies.

In this issue we have a focus on green technology with our Green Showcase section, several editorial features and also our on-line exclusive features. Clean technologies are our future; from 2001 to 2007, the cleantech investment category has expanded an average of 49.6% per year globally. Cleantech Forum XVIII, convening in Washington, D.C. this September is the world’s premier investment intelligence platform, providing insight, investment opportunities and unparalleled networking for the world’s leading investors, growth companies, policy makers, scientists and enterprises.

PCI has given considerable coverage to these themes and will continue to do so. I encourage you to send us technical feature stories that encompass the above themes as you have been doing – and be patient with us as we try to get the papers into print as quickly as possible. For those of you who are not aware, we also have “web exclusive” features each month in addition to those that are in the print magazine. These are usually shorter in nature but are pertinent to the industry, as well as sometimes just plain interesting or fun to read. To view these articles, go to www.pcimag.com and click on “Web Exclusives” in the second column of the home page.