Environmental impacts of astronomical research infrastructures

TL;DR

This paper examines the environmental impacts of astronomical research infrastructures, emphasizing their role in greenhouse gas emissions, and proposes sustainable changes to help the field reduce its ecological footprint.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of how astronomical research infrastructures contribute to environmental impacts and suggests strategies for making astronomy more sustainable.

Findings

Research infrastructures are the main source of greenhouse gases in astronomy.

Reducing impact requires changes in infrastructure and operational practices.

Other sources like air travel also need attention.

Abstract

Human activities degrade the Earth environment at an unprecedented scale and pace, threatening Earth-system stability, resilience and life-support functions. We can of course deny the facts, get angry about them, or try to bargain. Or we may overcome these stages of grief and move towards accepting that human activities need to change, including our own ones. The purpose of this paper is to support astronomers in this transition, by providing insights into the origins of environmental impacts in astronomical research and proposing changes that would make the field sustainable. The paper focuses on the environmental impacts of research infrastructures, since these are the dominant sources of greenhouse gas emissions in astronomy, acknowledging that impact reductions in other areas, for example professional air travelling, need also to be achieved.