As leaders in the weather, water and climate community, the AMS recognizes the impacts that our meetings can have on the environment. We are committed to improving the sustainability of all meetings, including specialty meetings. 

AMS is building on sustainable practices from previous events with new guidelines that govern how we conduct our meetings and scientific conferences, and what partners and venues we choose to work with.

What We’re Doing–and What You Can Do

Not only is the AMS committed to reducing our carbon footprint at our meetings, we are encouraging all attendees to get involved and help the AMS reach our goals. Below are the initiatives that AMS is proud to offer at the 31st Conference on Severe Local Storms.

AMS is:

• Increasing our vegetarian/pescetarian/vegan menu options
• Collecting RSVPs for food events to provide the right amount of food and reduce waste.
• Utilizing digital signage when possible.
• Requesting AMS waste and donation data from all AMS meeting venues.
  • Trash, recycling, composting, etc.
• Offsetting all staff travel by purchasing carbon offsets from Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
• Encouraging attendees to offset meeting travel by purchasing carbon offsets.
  • Offset your travel by purchasing carbon offsets here.
• Encouraging staff and attendees to use public transportation around Virginia Beach
• Offering badge holder and lanyard recycling via boxes in the registration area.
• Minimizing printed materials
  • If you need a meeting program, please request one during the registration process by 4 October. Otherwise, please use our online program (link coming soon) to plan your day and see what’s next!
• Printing on materials that are reusable, recyclable, eco-conscious, etc.
• Continuing to offer a virtual attendance option for all meetings.
• Conducting a site visit to explore sustainability in practice at each meeting venue.