Community attitudes towards the environmental cost of computational fluid dynamics research

TL;DR

This study investigates fluid dynamics researchers' attitudes towards the environmental impact of their computational work, revealing low awareness and a disconnect between attitudes and actions, highlighting the need for better education on sustainability.

Contribution

It provides empirical insights into researchers' perceptions and behaviors regarding the carbon footprint of scientific simulations, emphasizing the importance of awareness and education.

Findings

Low awareness of carbon footprint among researchers

Discrepancy between attitudes and actual practices

No correlation between simulation impact and carbon cost

Abstract

Numerical simulations underpin much fluid dynamics research today. Such simulations often rely on large scale high performance computing (HPC) systems, and have a significant carbon footprint. Increasing the efficiency of data centers or the proportion of electricity coming from renewable sources can lessen the environmental impact of scientific computing to a degree, but the attitudes of researchers also play a role. There are many choices researchers make which influence the carbon footprint of simulations. To change behaviours around simulation use, it is first necessary to understand attitudes toward them. Here, we present a case study on fluid dynamics researchers based in the University of Manchester, UK. We find a low awareness of the carbon footprint of computations, compounded by a lack of knowledge of the specific hardware used to run simulations. There is a discrepancy between researchers self-declared attitudes towards reducing the carbon footprint of their work, and their actions and choices. Overall, researchers did not consider carbon footprint as important in their decision making, and we found no correlation between the impact and carbon cost of simulations. Improved education and awareness of the environmental impact of simulations is imperative in the interests of the sustainability of this field.