Research Shows that Research Contributes to Global Warming
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 05. 8.08
The average Canadian produces 22 tones of carbon dioxide each year - equal to the weight of about 4 large elephants. Doesn't everyone measure carbon dioxide in elephants? One of those Canadians happens to be biochemistry professor Hervé Philippe from the Université de Montréal.
Philippe was surprised to discover that his scientific work (computers, air travel, and air conditioning) added up to 44 tons of carbon dioxide a year, or almost 9 extra elephants. Amidst reports of rapidly accelerating carbon dioxide emissions, it is not surprising that we often forget the many aspects of our life that cause carbon dioxide emissions.
“I did my PhD on nucleotide sequencing in the hope of advancing our knowledge of biodiversity, but I never thought that the research itself could have a negative impact on biodiversity" said professor Philippe. He continued, "By viewing oil as an unlimited resource we are making a tremendous mistake."
Professor Philippe recommends that to combat research's contribution to carbon emissions Universities should encourage fewer conferences, use more virtual technology for communication, and avoid research on 'well explored topics'. Policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions might be trendy now, but will be extremely beneficial to both the environment and the pocketbook once the externalized costs of global warming are recognized. There is a limit to how many elephants can really fit in the atmosphere, CO2 elephants that is. via :: Eureka Alert Article
More on How to Reduce Your Carbon Dioxide Emissions
TreeHugger's How to Green Your Work
TreeHugger's How To Green Your Carbon Offsets
Planet Green: Reduce Your Company's Carbon Footprint
Planet Green: Eat a Low-Carbon Diet
Planet Green: Find, Start a Carpool
More on Energy Efficiency and Carbon Dioxide Emissions Policy
Beating the Energy Efficiency Paradox (Part I)
Efficiency is Crucial to a Green Future
Zero-Emission Policy Only Way to Mitigate Global Warming Declare Scientists
Truth & Consequences: When Carbon Emission Has A Cost
Obama Calls for Cap-and-Trade
I think a move toward teleconferencing would be a huge step for EVERY field of business in reducing CO2 from the tones of trips that are taken every year just for a face to face meeting. Not only does it save the environment it makes our companies more efficient.
"[...]one of those Americans[...]"
hmm, the Professor in question is working at a Canadian University, and came there from France...
I think that there comes a point of diminishing returns with greening your life.
This is vital research that shouldn't disappear
Telecommunication subsidies would be a dream but the next best things would be using programs like Skype and a webcam.
Posted this link in www.surfurls.com
Allan, the professor could be an American who works at U de M. But, given his French-sounding name, it seems likely that he is Canadian.
@Allen -
I tend to think of everyone on the American continent as an American (Canada, US, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, etc)
But that may not be fair given the statistic. A little more digging and I found that according to Canadian Environment Sustainability Indicators 2007, the average Canadian CO2 emissions/person was 22 tons...so it is pretty close- all these emissions/person feels a bit soft to me anyway. The point is to consider the many aspects in your life and community where you have a carbon footprint.
I have edited the American to Canadian, and the figure from 20 to 22 to reflect this research.
More teleconferencing and telecommuting - and encouragement of both by businesses - is critical to decreasing our footprints.
www.ecounit.com
this headline sounds like something out of the onion.
:)