HOW TO REDUCE THE GREENHOUSE-EFFECT, AND A FEW OTHER QUESTIONS CONCERNING CATALYSIS

All those active in catalytic science and technology know that catalysis has a paramount role to play for environmental protection. But do we discern the most important problems? Just by accident, the author of this chronicle presented more or less impromptu some remarks at a meeting [1] and thereafter talked on the same topic in front of different audiences. He discovered that what he believed to be more or less obvious to his colleagues actually opened to them some new horizons and induced animated discussions (not deprived of passion in some cases!). This is the reason why he takes the risk to present this publication. He wishes to underline that the facts and figures he cites are the best available ones. He has noticed that, although scientifically grounded, these facts and figures may hurt some readers. He has been himself very unhappy to discover the results of some comparisons. Factual data cannot be denied. The problem is to find socially acceptable ways to improve the situation described by these facts.