http://arxiv.org/abs/1912.05834
Just as in any other profession, astronomers have an obligation to reduce their carbon footprint to meet the necessary global requirements for limiting the effects of climate change. In this white paper, we estimate that Australian astronomers’ total greenhouse gas emissions from their regular work activities are >~15 ktCO_2-e/yr (equivalent kilotonnes of carbon dioxide per year). This can be broken into 4.3 +/- 1.1 ktCO_2-e/yr from flights, ~6.8 ktCO_2-e/yr from supercomputer usage, ~1.8 ktCO_2-e/yr from powering office buildings, and ~2 ktCO_2-e/yr from the operation of the Murchison Radio Observatory (with other observatories unaccounted for here that would add to this number). Split across faculty scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students, this averages to >~19 tCO_2-e/yr per astronomer. We outline steps astronomers can take to reduce their emissions from these environmentally unsustainable practices. (1) We should exclusively use supercomputers and observatories that are powered predominantly by renewable energy sources. Where facilities that we currently use are unsatisfactory, they should be lobbied to invest in renewables, such as solar or wind farms. Emphasis must also be placed on code efficiency for projects that consume millions of CPU core-hours. (2) Air travel should be reduced wherever possible, replaced primarily by video conferencing. We emphasise that while carbon offsetting should be mandatory for all ‘unavoidable’ travel, it does not negate carbon emissions, and hence does not justify flights. Based on an ICRAR-UWA case study, senior scientists have the greatest responsibility to reduce flying, as they generate ~70% more emissions per person from flying than postdocs, and more than triple that of PhD students, on average. (3) A sustainability chapter and award should be established by the Astronomical Society of Australia.
A. Stevens, S. Bellstedt, P. Elahi, et. al.
Fri, 13 Dec 19
12/75
Comments: White paper for the Decadal plan for Australian astronomy 2016-2025: Mid-term review. 7 pages (6 excl. references), 1 figure