Scientists & academics engaging in civil disobedience to secure a livable future
Why I, as a scientist, am a climate activist. I take part in climate protests because research alone no longer feels like an adequate response to the scale of the crisis we face. The science is unequivocal: insufficient action is causing immense suffering and we face the possibility of irreversible harms. Yet despite decades of … Read more
Why I take action as a scientist. Do I take action? I didn’t know that. Apparently, you take action when you express your opinion. Why do I always have to express my opinion? “Just shut up, man! We know already. Yes, the environment, climate change! Jesus, here he goes again.” At home, they do get … Read more
Sander Otte My name is Sander Otte, professor of technical physics at Delft University of Technology. My area of expertise is quantum physics. You may not immediately associate quantum physics with the climate problem. However, there is an important connection. Only quantum physics can explain why a carbon dioxide molecule absorbs infrared radiation, while a … Read more
Shell’s influence on the energy transition also extends to the lecture hall. The oil giant is helping to shape the language, tone and direction of the energy transition. This is a summary of an article that appeared in the daily newspaper Trouw on 12 December. It was written by Sjors Roeters in collaboration with the … Read more
Sergej van Middendorp On Monday 1 December, the National Citizens’ Climate Assembly presented its advice to the government. In a comprehensive report, the 175 Dutch citizens who formed the assembly made 23 recommendations in response to the question posed by politicians to the citizens’ assembly: “How can we, as the Netherlands, eat, use goods and … Read more
On Saturday afternoon, 13 December, more than 200 activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) and Scientist Rebellion (SR) disrupted the Masters Expo at the RAI, formerly known as the Millionaires Fair. They demonstrated against this party for the super-rich with the message: the super-rich cost too much. The activists are calling for a redistribution of wealth. … Read more
The myth of the ‘self-made millionaire’ conceals a system of privilege and exploitation Eva de Bock & Anna Sach Welcome to the community of greatness. Be here & be great. At first glance, this bombastic, elitist language seems to come straight from Trumpian political theatre, far removed from the down-to-earth attitude of the Netherlands. Yet these … Read more
Arthur Oldeman The EU presented new emission targets (90% reduction compared to 1990 by 2040 and between 66% and 72% by 2035) on top of the already established 55% by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. The EU claims to be committed to the 1.5 °C target in the Paris Agreement. However, a calculation based … Read more
There is little time left to prevent global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions from exceeding 1.5 °C (compared to the pre-industrial period). In other words, the amount of greenhouse gases we can still emit – the carbon reserve – is almost depleted. Meanwhile, in the United States, President Donald Trump is rapidly dismantling virtually … Read more
I have been involved in water quality studies for more than 30 years now, mostly concerning coastal areas but also inland waters. Over the years I have seen the focus of such studies change between heavy metals, nutrients and emerging contaminants such medicines, pesticides, (micro)plastics and PFAS. I have also seen the problems concerning climate … Read more