Short Wave Meet The Climate Scientist Trying to Fly Less for Work
Jun 29, 2020
Kim Cobb, a climate scientist and professor at Georgia Tech, shares her transformative journey of realizing the environmental cost of frequent flying for conferences. She discusses advocating for reduced air travel in academia, driven by her own reckoning with carbon emissions. The conversation explores the impacts of the pandemic on travel habits, generational divides in academic flying, and the importance of balancing personal choices with environmental responsibility. Kim emphasizes a shift towards virtual interactions and regional hubs to foster sustainable practices in her field.
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Coral Reef Devastation
- In 2016, Kim Cobb witnessed devastating coral death near Christmas Island due to a marine heat wave.
- This experience, combined with the 2016 election, spurred her to re-evaluate her climate priorities.
Personal Carbon Footprint
- Kim Cobb calculated her carbon emissions and found them higher than the national average.
- Air travel contributed 85% of her emissions, prompting her to advocate for reduced flying among scientists.
Reduce Flying Gradually
- Start by gradually reducing air travel, setting progressive reduction targets.
- Kim Cobb initially aimed for 30% yearly reductions before pledging to stay grounded.