Climate crisis and ecological emergency: why they concern (neuro)scientists, and what we can do

Rae, C. L., Farley, M., Jeffery, K. J. and Urai, A. E. (2022) Climate crisis and ecological emergency: why they concern (neuro)scientists, and what we can do. Brain and Neuroscience Advances, 6, p. 23982128221075430. (doi: 10.1177/23982128221075430) (PMID:35252586) (PMCID:PMC8891852)

Abstract

Our planet is experiencing severe and accelerating climate and ecological breakdown caused by human activity. As professional scientists, we are better placed than most to understand the data that evidence this fact. However, like most other people, we ignore this inconvenient truth and lead our daily lives, at home and at work, as if these facts weren’t true. In particular, we overlook that our own neuroscientific research practices, from our laboratory experiments to our often global travel, help drive climate change and ecosystem damage. We also hold privileged positions of authority in our societies but rarely speak out. Here, we argue that to help society create a survivable future, we neuroscientists can and must play our part. In April 2021, we delivered a symposium at the British Neuroscience Association meeting outlining what we think neuroscientists can and should do to help stop climate breakdown. Building on our talks (Box 1), we here outline what the climate and ecological emergencies mean for us as neuroscientists. We highlight the psychological mechanisms that block us from taking action, and then outline what practical steps we can take to overcome these blocks and work towards sustainability. In particular, we review environmental issues in neuroscience research, scientific computing, and conferences. We also highlight the key advocacy roles we can all play in our institutions and in society more broadly. The need for sustainable change has never been more urgent, and we call on all (neuro)scientists to act with the utmost urgency.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: A.E.U. is supported by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the International Brain Research Organization.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jeffery, Professor Kate
• Authors: Rae, C. L., Farley, M., Jeffery, K. J., and Urai, A. E.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Brain and Neuroscience Advances
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 2398-2128
• ISSN (Online): 2398-2128
• Published Online: 28 February 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Brain and Neuroscience Advances 6: 23982128221075430
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License