Clipping Our Wings

Digital Conferences as a Permanent Global Cure: Socially Close but Physically Distant

Takahiro Sakamoto. 2017.

Long before the current pandemic, we have known that fighting climate change requires changes to the way humans work, learn, and consume resources. The current global crisis, while devastating and costly, does provide a bridge to question core assumptions about human connectivity and traditional modes of gathering. With both tragedy and hope, COVID-19 has enabled much of the globe to deeply understand that we can provide quality working, learning, and meeting opportunities from a distance. These opportunities can be pathogen-free, more equitably accessible, surprisingly intimate, and financially and environmentally sustainable.

It is important to frame this conversation with the knowledge that a typically US-based, in-person conference averages almost 3 tons of CO2 per participant. 

In-person conferences typically require financially and environmentally costly travel, often undertaken by frequent travellers who make up a significant portion of annual global aviation. Distance conferences eliminate the financial and environmental costs of travel and enable participants to reduce time away from families, work, and other obligations. Further, distance conferences promote equity by allowing access and participation to those in low and middle-income countries who may not have access to travel, accommodation, and other necessary expenses related to in-person conferences.  

One point of contention is whether digital conferencing can replace the richness of networking and connection that might occur in person. The compelling evidence around conference-related emissions combined with this question around the usual quality of the virtual conferencing experience led to the creation of MeetHere.org. This platform enables a diverse range of collaborative experiences via virtual conferencing, including discussion panels, breakout sessions, cocktail/conversation sessions, shared “Uber Eats” experiences—and we’ve even hosted a wedding on Vancouver Island and in Switzerland!

Making the shift to virtual engagement doesn’t have to mean a loss of quality engagement or connection. In fact, the opposite can be true. 

Virtual conferences can allow global citizens to engage more mindfully, thoughtfully, and equitably than ever before. We can be a part of the solution, not the problem.

For more information, see Visual Carbon.