{"id":1341,"date":"2020-03-16T08:55:02","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T07:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.exeter.ac.uk\/doctoralcollege\/?p=1341"},"modified":"2020-03-16T08:55:02","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T07:55:02","slug":"being-a-researcher-in-a-climate-of-change-and-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/doctoralcollege\/2020\/03\/16\/being-a-researcher-in-a-climate-of-change-and-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Being a researcher in a climate of change and anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Jenny Watts is a PhD Researcher at the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Her research focuses on developing novel remote sensing techniques using drones and satellites to improve our understanding of the impact of sea ice on air-sea exchange of carbon-dioxide in the polar oceans. This is Jenny\u2019s blog on conducting research in the face of the climate emergency.<\/em><\/p>\n

The first year of my PhD has occurred against a backdrop of climate emergency declarations, climate protests and climate strikes. As a researcher in this field it has been amazing to see so many people want to effect real change. At the same time this has led to an increase in climate anxiety, caused in part by a feeling of hopelessness as an individual to make a difference. This is exactly how I feel.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been told the best way to combat climate anxiety is to feel like you\u2019re at least \u2018doing something\u2019 to try and tackle it.\u00a0 This can mean reducing flying, eating less meat, lobbying your local MP on green issues or switching to green energy suppliers. Some of these are more difficult to implement than others but they are all actions I can take in my personal life \u2013 but what about my PhD research?<\/p>\n

I have to say that my mind-set during the first year of my PhD has definitely changed.\u00a0 I have become increasingly aware that my actions as a researcher are not without an impact on the environment. While I know some researchers can justify their (often large) carbon footprints as being \u2018for the greater good\u2019 I am becoming increasingly less comfortable with this justification. It has become important for me to feel I am trying my best to align my actions as a researcher with my beliefs \u2013 to try and set the best example I can, but this is not without challenges.<\/p>\n

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\n<\/a>On Svalbard in the Arctic Circle, holding an iceberg.<\/em><\/p>\n

Implementing the same steps within my PhD that I can take in my personal life has at times felt difficult. For example, travel is a major component of the carbon budget of a research project, including getting to fieldwork sites, conferences, meetings and courses. The expectation that you undertake these activities is there, and as someone early in their career looking to make important connections it can be very difficult to differentiate between what opportunities can be missed and what needs to be attended. University wide guidance for early career researchers wishing to reduce their carbon footprint remains limited. Individual choices often come down to a supervisor\u2019s stance on the topic (Shout out to my supervisor for being particularly on it in this case).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not all doom and gloom though! If you are looking to reduce your footprint where possible there are actions you can take, including:<\/p>\n