Scientists & academics engaging in civil disobedience to secure a livable future
Removing a highly diluted gas (~0.04%) such as CO2 from the atmosphere is technically challenging, energy-intensive and expensive. Unlike renewable energy, it has no direct use. Its value is entirely socially and politically constructed. Without strong government policy, there is no profit to be made, which is why all companies involved depend on CO2 compensation to bring this to market.
Two years ago, the United Nations General Assembly concluded a historic treaty, the High Seas Treaty, an agreement to protect and preserve the biodiversity of the ‘high seas’ for future sustainable use. The term ‘high seas’ refers to oceans and seas outside territorial waters. If the treaty is properly implemented, it will play a key … Read more
Rutger Schilpzand We are in a bizarre situation when it comes to the climate crisis: On the one hand, humanity is hurtling down a mountain at breakneck speed, heading straight for the abyss. And we are still unable to apply the brakes, because global CO2 emissions are continuing to rise. On the other hand, a … Read more
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
A maximum of 1.5 °C warming, and in any case well below 2 °C, is the goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which is still endorsed by most countries. Due to the lack of effective action by governments and businesses, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the 1.5 °C target will be achieved. Every tenth … 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