Often referred to as the central science which links both Biology and Physics, Chemistry is an experimental science which develops theories to explain and predict observed phenomena. Technological advancement requires the development of novel materials and since this requires chemists, Chemistry underpins the bulk of progress in technology and will continue to do so.
The vast and varied tasks that chemists carry out illustrates the impact that Chemistry has on society. Many chemists are employed in research and development making new medicines, paints, fuels, dyes, plastics, pesticides, processed foods (even now a chemists somewhere will be working on the size of the ice crystals in ice cream which influences both taste and texture), fertilizers and cosmetics whilst others will monitor the quality of these products once in production and in the cases of substances like fertilizers others will monitor the impact of these on the environment.
Not everything chemists have developed is necessarily positive (for example chemical weapons) but even most cynics would agree that the benefits that the subject has brought outweigh any disadvantages.
Whatever your point of view, the impact of Chemistry is global and affects us all.
