Conference Tourism: A Problem for the Environment, as well as for Research?

Academic Jet-Setting in a Time of Climate Destabilization: Ecological Privilege and Professional Geographic Travel

“…At the same time, there has been notable attention paid to the ecological footprint associated with what Høyer and Naess (2001) characterized as "conference tourism." Indeed, a number of scholars have sought to measure the impacts of various conferences-particularly in relation to air travel-while suggesting alternative, lowimpact means of professional interaction (e.g., Høyer and Naess 2001;Becken 2002;Hischier and Hilty 2002).…”

“…Although academia generally celebrates conferencegoing, the high ecological costs of professional meetings involving long-distance travel have led some to question the need for such (e.g., Høyer and Naess 2001) or to call for "sustainable" or "green" conferencing and, in some cases, low-impact research practices more broadly (see, e.g., Bonnett 2006;Guterman 2009). Bonnett (2006, 230), speaking to geographers specifically, went so far as to call for "a shift in culture," asserting that "the glory days of guilt-free and gleeful world winging are gone.…”

Twenty-five years of sustainable tourism and the Journal of Sustainable Tourism: looking back and moving forward

“…Anderson (2016), citing Chancel and Piketty (2015), also reminds us that 10% of the global population -the "high emitters" -produce approximately half of total global GHG emissions. Members of the academic community are high emitters and it will be incumbent upon us to progressively adopt alternative academic practices (see Høyer & Naess, 2001). It is necessary that, beyond the publication of our research, we demonstrate a commitment to sustainability in all aspects of our scholarly work, to overcome a hypocrisy that is now and will be increasingly questioned.…”

A darker side of hypermobility

“…Large amounts of time spent away make it difficult to participate regularly in local cultural activities and organizations, team-sports and in voluntary community work (Høyer and Naess, 2001). Gustafson (2014) found frequent business travellers tended to sacrifice local collective activities and instead prioritize their immediate families when returning from trips.…”