Michael Clifford

Lecturer, University of Melbourne - Australia
Australia
Michael Clifford

I have not flown for 3 years – largely COVID induced – but my request for online meetings and examinations has been helped by the pandemic. The expectation to attend educational (College of Intensive Care Medicine) meetings face to face continues to cause friction. Recent examinations were successful via Zoom, but there is a push to return to face to face. Just asking the question causes people to stop and think.

Paediatric Intensive Care Specialist and Consultant Anaesthetist. Responsible for green house gas emissions such as nitric oxide and volatile (sevoflurane) halogenated anaesthetic vapours. I have switched to 99% TIVA (total intravenous anaesthesia), which has a much lower carbon footprint — I try to teach / encourage the same for my trainees. Currently working on a sustainability statement for SPANZA, where encouraging flying less (to conferences) will not help my popularity.