Chemists Celebrate Earth Week

To promote the positive role that chemistry plays in the world, ACS established the Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) public awareness campaign. During CCEW, ACS members and chemistry enthusiasts celebrate by coordinating events and communicating the importance of chemistry. Read more about CCEW.

This year, we are celebrating the theme Chemistry is Everything by highlighting the essential role of trees and forests in building a sustainable world, during Chemists Celebrate Earth Week, April 19–25, 2026. Just as trees support life in countless ways, ACS aims to showcase how chemistry connects and transforms our world. As part of our yearlong celebration of ACS’s 150th anniversary, we invite you to explore and appreciate the chemical processes that sustain and shape trees and forests.

Trees are more than beautiful—they are essential to life on Earth. Beyond providing shelter for countless animals, trees play a critical role in sustaining life through fascinating chemical processes.

Photosynthesis is the process by which trees absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce the oxygen we breathe (along with water). In addition, trees serve as indicators of Earth’s health.

We will discover the chemistry behind chlorophyll and pigments, explaining how they absorb light, and why leaves change color. From energy storage to the production of foods like maple syrup and nuts, and materials such as lumber and paper, trees are deeply tied to chemistry and our existence.

We will also explore trees’ environmental benefits—filtering pollutants, reducing runoff and soil erosion, storing water, and enriching soil with nutrients through decaying leaves. Peruse the website for more information about trees and forests and fun facts like these:

• Did you know trees ensure appropriate weather for all living beings on Earth? Earth needs to stay neither too cold nor too hot for living beings to live and grow.
• Did you know that maple syrup was first discovered accidentally by Native Americans?

Chip Into the Woods and unearth the fascinating chemistry of trees and forests to discover how they influence the world around us!