Anastas is known widely for his work on the design and manufacture of chemicals that are non-hazardous and environmentally benign. He is also a champion of sustainability science and innovation for environmental protection.
Anastas has brought worldwide attention to the power of molecular design to help the environment.[5] He has published scores of articles as well as fifteen books,[6] including his seminal work with co-author John Warner,[7]Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Their 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are the basis for high school, college and graduate programs around the world[8] and have significantly altered the landscape of the chemicals industry in the United States and other countries.[9]
Anastas began his career as a staff chemist at the EPA, where he coined the term "Green Chemistry"[10] and launched the field's first research program. He went on to co-found the Green Chemistry Institute in 1997[11] at the American Chemical Society and served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1999 to 2004, where he concluded service as Assistant Director for the Environment. Anastas returned to EPA in 2009 as the Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and the Science Advisor to the Agency, resigning from those positions in February 2012 to return to Yale and his family. In his role as Assistant Administrator, he worked to engage scientists, engineers, and stakeholders across EPA, the federal government, and the scientific community to unify around the common goal of sustainability.[12] He co-founded the chemical manufacturing company, P2 Science in 2011, the catalysis company, Catalytic Innovations in 2017, and Inkemia Green Chemicals in 2017. Anastas is currently the Director of Yale University's Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering,[2] where he holds the Theresa and H. John Heinz chair in Chemistry for the Environment.
Early life
Anastas was born and raised in Quincy, Massachusetts. He developed an interest in science and environmental issues after witnessing the wetlands behind his childhood home get bulldozed and destroyed for a development project.[13] When he was nine years old he received an “Award of Excellence” from President Richard Nixon for his “outstanding achievements in environmental protection” for his essay on the founding of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As a teenager in Quincy, Anastas met and developed a close friendship with fellow green chemist John Warner. The pair have since co-authored several scientific papers and books, including the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.[14] Anastas retains a noticeable Boston accent and is a devoted fan of his hometown baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.[13]
Anastas is known for delivering energetic, engaging public talks that challenge audience members to think differently about environmental challenges.[20] His speeches have been called "thought provoking",[21] "inspiring",[22] and "optimistic".[23] He has been featured as a keynote speaker at several prestigious meetings, conferences and events, including:
The American College and University President's Climate Commitment Summit[24]
2004: The Inaugural Canadian Green Chemistry Award[43]
2002: The Greek Chemical Society Award for Contributions to Chemistry[43]
2001: Recognized by President George W. Bush for “Distinguished Service on September 11, 2001” noting his “dedicated service to the White House and the Executive Office of the President following the attack on the United States of America” while he was serving in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
1999: The Nolan Sommer Award for Distinguished Contributions to Chemistry[43]
1999: The Joseph Seifter Award for Scientific Excellence[43]
1998: The Vice President's Hammer Award[43] for reinventing government recognizing his work in establishing the U.S. Green Chemistry Program.
1991: President H.W. Bush’s Point-of-Light Award for volunteer service
^Voutchkova, Adelina M.; Ferris, Lori A.; Zimmerman, Julie B.; Anastas, Paul T. (January 2010). "Toward molecular design for hazard reduction—fundamental relationships between chemical properties and toxicity". Tetrahedron. 66 (5): 1031–1039. doi:10.1016/j.tet.2009.11.002.
