Past, Present and Future of Open Science (Emergent session): The hidden cost of open neuroimaging: what’s our footprint?

[jsheunis]

The hidden cost of open neuroimaging: what’s our footprint?

By Charlotte Rae, University of Sussex, UK

• Theme: Past, Present and Future of Open Science
• Format: Emergent session

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that humanity is facing its biggest ever challenge in the face of runaway climate change and environmental degradation. The causes of the climate crisis are multifactorial, cutting across all aspects of life. One such domain is scientific activity. Our research activities come with a carbon footprint, and are contributing to the climate crisis and ecological emergency. Neuroimaging is a particular culprit, because our data acquisition relies on energy-intensive machines and the finite natural resource of liquid helium, and our data analysis and sharing requires servers – which are also energy-hungry and manufactured using limited natural resources. This talk will examine the environmental impact of open science, with a particular focus on the issues of neuroimaging datasets. I will explain why open neuroimaging has environmental consequences, assess the green credentials of popular repositories, and propose that fundamentally we need to reduce our scientific consumption first and foremost before we attempt to mitigate the footprint of data acquisition and sharing. I will conclude with an invitation to join me on a journey towards increasing awareness of these issues in our community and formulating action plans.

Useful Links

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/abc-lab/climate-change
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2020.02.019

Slides

RAE_OSR2020_sustainability.pdf

Tagging @NeuroRae

[CooperSmout]

Important topic, and one close to my heart. See you there!