The management and staff of the M.I.O. have chosen to take part in the national initiative Labos1point5 which aims to collectively transform research in the face of the climate emergency. The work of climate scientists (IPCC) have led all the world's countries to set a target for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in order to limit global warming to 1.5°C (Paris agreementsCOP21).
M.I.O. scientists, who have been aware for several years of the impact of current disturbances (global warming, habitat destruction, biological invasion, etc.) on natural marine ecosystems, have seized the opportunity to join forces with research laboratories at national level to start thinking about the impact of their research activities on global change. Based on a methodology common to all the laboratories participating in Labos1point5, the MIO will quantify its carbon footprint and will implement a multi-year action plan to progressively reduce it.
To quote the founding text of the national collective: "While some fear that this process will pave the way for a limitation of individual freedoms or a reduction in the quality of research, we see in this historic moment the opportunity for a positive and profound transformation of our practices, collaboration, data sharing and also the ways in which our work is evaluated. This transformation cannot take place without breaking with the current model for producing and disseminating academic knowledge, which is not without its downsides. This is a tremendous opportunity to pave the way for a new research ethic, for scientific activity that is as fertile as ever, but more sober and more respectful of the environment - in short, for a more humane academic world.