Research Laboratories are looking to lower Their Environmental Footprints

Everybody has to do their part, when it comes to helping the environment. That is why many laboratories are trying to minimise their environmental footprints, like other industries are already doing. A new study shows that researchers want to be more proactive in finding new ways for a more sustainable future in their field. Here is what it found out.

Already taking Steps in the Right Direction

Everything counts in the fight for the protection of our environment. We can see that, as leaders of countries met in Egypt for the COP27, to try to find solutions to lower the increase of temperatures worldwide, caused by human actions. Lowering the energy that is being consumed is one of the preoccupations at hands, and it is true also in laboratories. Through the use of multi-mode microplate readers, by BMG Labtech, scientists are able to proceed to a large variety of tests, every time they launch the instrument, all at once. It is certainly one of the ways that they can make their work more efficient, while saving on energy. These are the kind of actions that are being taken in the fight against a large environmental footprint, in research laboratories.

What does the Study show?

The study was done by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It reached out to about 700 scientists, located in 70 countries around the world, on a period of two months (December 2021 and January 2022). It was conducted as an online survey, but included also more than 2,000 text responses, which were able to provide a more global sense of how scientists felt about their position in regards to sustainable labs. But the group did not end their study with this unique tool. They also asked questions directly to the community, through their working groups and the Innovation Leadership Forum. This is what they found out:

A large portion of scientists are aware that their work impacts the environment. The study shows that 79% agreed with this statement. More importantly, perhaps, is that they are willing to do more, in order to reduce their footprint in their laboratories, as 84% agreed on the fact that more needs to be done in this direction. But changes are already being applied, as we have shown earlier. It is also reflected in the study, with 63% of the respondents saying that they have proceeded to changes in the way that they work, in order to reduce the environmental impact that they create through their work.

Why is it Important to reduce the Environmental Footprints of Research laboratories?

Science is meant to create a better future for all human beings, living on earth. This can only happen if it actually includes caring for the environment themselves, first. The laboratories in which they work are known to consume a lot of energy. Therefore, they need to find new ways to continue their discoveries, all the while reducing the level of energy that they need, in order to do so. It should and will be in the mind of scientists as they move forward. At least, that is what the study seems to be indicating.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes