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History: Climate change is an existential danger to humanity. It is already affecting us in a myriad of ways: extreme heat and weather, drought and flooding, and ocean acidification are just a few examples. Climate change is a threat to astronomy as well, from the increased risk of forest fires to the stability of the atmospheric conditions at our observatories. The good news is that we can still avoid the worst consequences of climate change, but we must act quickly. To keep the average temperature increase below 2°C, the established goal of the Paris Agreement, humanity as a whole must cut its carbon emissions in half over the next decade, and go carbon neutral by roughly 2050. What role can astronomers play in helping the world achieve these goals? And how can astronomy reduce its emissions as well? Astronomers and the AAS recognize that we are part of the problem and we must be part of the solution. One of the four goals in Strategic Priority 1 of the AAS Strategic Plan 2021–2026 is to “Develop and implement a plan for the role of the AAS in mitigating climate change.” Specifically, it calls for “a task force to identify the Paris Agreement goals the Society can address and implement measures to meet them.”
The Climate Change Task Force was established by the Board in November 2021. Their final report is expected at the 2024 AAS summer meeting.
Charge: By the June 2024 Board of Trustees meeting, the Climate Change Task Force will provide a report on the carbon footprint of AAS activities, at current and pre-COVID levels. It will also provide recommendations on paths, with associated costs and benefits, the AAS can pursue to achieve emissions reductions of the appropriate size and on the timescales needed. The report will also provide recommendations on how the AAS can be a leader in advocating for solutions in our profession and beyond.
Committee Chair
Committee Members
Michael J. Rutkowski (He/Him/His)
Term: Nov 2021 – Oct 2024