How can neuroscientists respond to the climate emergency?

Abstract

The world faces a climate emergency. Humanity must make urgent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to stave off further global heating. In this article, we consider the actions that can be taken by neuroscientists, as individuals and as members of institutions and professional bodies and societies. We discuss flying less, the uncertain merits of carbon offsets, virtual conferencing and how climate justice must apply to questions of travel. We also consider emissions from lab research, and how neuroscientists can shape institutional policy on emissions reductions across myriad aspects of operations, including banking, investment and funding decisions. A radical culture change is needed to address the climate emergency. We encourage neuroscientists to put emissions reductions at the centre of their everyday professional activities.

Evaluating features of scientific conferences: A call for improvements

“…Funds from a carbon tax on ground travel can also be used to fund research that could fight against the climate crisis (117). Although institutions can estimate total emissions and buy offsets (for example paying for renewable energy or other programs designed to reduce emissions) (117), the damaging impact of researchers flying on climate and living ecosystems are irreversible (124,125,151) and the scale of the efforts and cost to actually offset emissions from flying may be prohibitively high (151). Regional conferences and digital or virtual conferences are however more effective environmentally sustainable solutions in reducing the frequency of academic air travel compared to carbon offsets (60).…”

“…Provide live closed captions and subtitles (are offered by leading video conferencing systems) to help individuals with impaired hearing and those who are not fluent in the main language of the conference, or have missed certain parts of the presentation (57). Offer transcripts to attendees after the talks.…”