Glass: a transparent tool for a fairer planet

Taken from the June 2022 issue of Physics World where it appeared under the headline “A transparent tool for a fairer planet”. Members of the Institute of Physics can enjoy the full issue via the Physics World app.

When the idea for a year-long celebration of glass was first proposed in 2018, at the annual meeting of the International Commission on Glass (ICG) in Yokohama, Japan, few could have foreseen the global calamity that would soon befall. Barely 18 months later the COVID-19 pandemic had struck, and those proposing the year – most with day jobs in academia and industry – must have been tempted to put the project on the backburner. It’s fortunate that they still pushed ahead, as the International Year of Glass (IYOG2022) is exactly the sort of peaceful bridge-building initiative the world needs right now.

Like previous international years devoted to physics, light, astronomy and chemistry, this year’s celebrations are being held under the auspices of the United Nations (UN). Today, the UN exists to address global problems – be it climate change, energy, education or communication. Glass – a material that has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern world – also plays a vital part in solving some of these huge challenges. Indeed, glass-based technology is a crucial part of the UN’s 2030 sustainability goals, which address these and other interconnected issues – from clean water and sanitation, to industry, innovation and sustainable cities.

Read the full article here