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Conferencing has great benefits for academia: collaborating with people all over the world, sharing ideas, discussing research and meeting new inspiring people! However, carbon emissions associated with academic flying are high. Usually, individuals could reduce their carbon footprint only by decreasing their conference attendance. Fortunately, thanks to technology meeting people from all over the world can be easier, less time consuming and most of all - more sustainable!
DID YOU KNOW?
DID YOU KNOW?
The carbon footprint for one return flight from the United Kingdom to New York is greater than an annual carbon footprint for a resident of India!
The impact of flying is increasing faster than any other major contribution
The impact of flying is increasing faster than any other major contribution
At the same time, only less than 10% of people fly. Some academics fly over 100,000 miles per year! Reducing academic flying would be an easy way to make a difference in global greenhouse gases emissions.
“Let’s be honest: it is unlikely that an online conference experience will ever replicate face-to-face interaction. Granted. However, given the horrific environmental costs and inherently exclusionary nature of traditional conferences, the time has come to radically rethink this cornerstone practice of our profession.”
“Let’s be honest: it is unlikely that an online conference experience will ever replicate face-to-face interaction. Granted. However, given the horrific environmental costs and inherently exclusionary nature of traditional conferences, the time has come to radically rethink this cornerstone practice of our profession.”
Prof. Ken Hiltner
See this short documentary about academic flying
See this short documentary about academic flying
Waste associated with conferences
Waste associated with conferences
Airline passengers alone generated 5.7 million tons of waste globally in 2016! By 2030, this number is expected to nearly double to an annual 10 million tons. Most airplanes' disposables are single-use.
Even though 75% of this waste is recyclable, we have to consider that only 9% of global plastic waste is recycled! The rest of it is poured onto landfills or ends up in the ocean. That is why reducing plastic production is a lot more important than recycling it.
Reducing waste is far more important than recycling!
Reducing waste is far more important than recycling!
WASTE ASSOCIATED WITH CONFERENCES
WASTE ASSOCIATED WITH CONFERENCES
Physical conferences produce a lot of waste: they rely on large quantities of paper (marketing collateral, handouts, brochures, or welcome bags) and plastics. By rethinking how we run and attend events, this waste can be massively reduced! For example: avoid single-use plastics, including small water bottles.
Practical ideas for making your event more sustainable
Practical ideas for making your event more sustainable
If you are organising a conference there are a few ways you can make your event more sustainable!
We strongly recommend reading this guide.
References:
http://www.russpoldrack.org/2019/06/why-i-will-be-flying-less.htmlhttps://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/01/07/analysis/co2-jet-fuel-soaring-4-times-faster-what-can-save-dayhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-019-0008-3https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/7/9/20680969/airplanes-plastic-zero-waste-flights<a href='https://www.freepik.com/vectors/green'>Green vector created by studiogstock - www.freepik.com</a>
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