For several years now, there have been calls for “net zero” medical society meetings. Until only recently, the suggestion to hold major conference events virtually and cut down on travel-related greenhouse gas emissions was considered too radical or burdensome for many organizations to adopt (BMJ 2007;334:324-5). With physical distancing and travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, zooming has become a necessary part of our everyday lives. While no one wants to do away with face-to-face meetings, virtual options are here to stay.
The bulk of conference pollution stems from travel – especially air. The transportation sector is the top source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for nearly 30% in 2017 (asamonitor.pub/3leGqhP; Environ Health Perspect 2020;128:14501-1-14501-3). While the literature is scant, average medical society conference attendee emissions just from flying have ranged between 4,000 (one European meeting) to 11,000 (one...
