Why Study Abroad? Are Carbon Offsets Enough?
Carbon offsets are not a perfect solution but may be a start in addressing the paradox of study abroad and climate change
There is no perfect solution to deal with the climate crisis. Individual action will only take us so far. We need systemic change within our largest institutions. At the same time, it's important for InPlace to address our own carbon footprint and the cost of study abroad on humanity and the global environment.
International air travel is by far our most significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. We won't sugar coat it; it's been hard to grapple with this fact. We believe in the transformative power of international education and know intercultural exchange is the antidote to bigotry and xenophobia. It is also an incredible opportunity for collaboration necessary to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges. The personal benefits of study abroad are well-documented and allow students to expand their knowledge as global citizens, build soft skills and be more competitive in the job market after graduation. This fact makes it easy for universities worldwide to push for internationalization with goals to get more students to study abroad. Although an admirable goal, as we get ready to go overseas again, we have to ask the questions:
What are the environmental and social costs of our programs? And,
Are there steps InPlace can take to mitigate our own contributions to the climate crisis?
Carbon offsets, although far from perfect, can be a part of the solution. Most simply, offsets are an investment in an environmental project or program, something InPlace has done through our commitment to community-driven development for many years. We know we can take more meaningful steps to better understand if these investments are helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, it's not just how funds are spent but also the power dynamics and colonial legacies that underpin study abroad, travel and carbon offset programs.
Photo Credit: Eutah Mizushima on Unsplash
But do offsets work?
Or do they just allow us to justify our desire to travel?
The many criticisms of carbon offsets are valid. Instead of reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, they allow those in positions of privilege to avoid making the necessary changes in their daily lives. We can minimize travel, but staying home is not always an option. According to the United Nations, tourism employed 1 in 10 people globally in 2019 and made up a large share of the economy in 86% of developing countries worldwide. Staying home would have a profound impact on the livelihoods of communities we work alongside. Offsets may be one tool to help us maintain our partnerships overseas while taking responsibility for our impact.
Arguably, offsets are the fastest way to move us towards carbon neutrality until other options exist. Good intentions do not always yield positive results, and there are steps we should take to ensure investments have the desired impact. It is important that we only travel when we need to, utilize principles of slow travel and seek alternative forms of transportation that are less carbon-intensive whenever possible. Perhaps that means taking an overnight train rather than a Low-Cost Carrier flight when in-country and continuing to travel in economy class because a passenger in premium class emits 2.6 to 4.3 times more carbon dioxide per kilometer. Each situation is different, so actions to minimize our carbon footprint must be on a case-by-case basis.
When we decide to travel, each of our programs will collectively calculate their carbon footprint to make sure we create the space to have necessary conversations. An offset should not be a means to make us feel better about our choices but a tool to discuss the realities of carbon offsets. Our number one priority is to do no harm and ensure that we are not contributing to ‘carbon colonialism.’ Instead, our goal is to let local partners, NGOs and community groups drive the process. Net-zero emissions are impossible through carbon offsets, but they can be one step in our journey to address the climate crisis together.
As a student, what can you do to further offset your own carbon emissions when you study abroad?
Don’t just settle for making your travel to your study abroad destination carbon neutral, take steps to minimize your carbon footprint in your daily life. Use a calculator to get started and think about changes you can make to offset the environmental costs of your travels. This may be going vegan for a year, giving up driving or making sure your consumer choices are not supporting fast fashion. As a global citizen, there are many things you can do to decrease the amount of carbon you put in the atmosphere. Individual action is just the first step. Civic engagement and advocating for systemic change in your role as a global citizen is equally important as we work together towards a solution.
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Our decision-making processes throughout the pandemic have been grounded in our values. We have been intentional in our approach to stay true to our mission. This year, we have continued to implement strategies to connect our network through peer-peer learning, hone our model for change and community-driven development, and tackle challenging issues like climate change.