October 08: Debt cancellation is Climate Justice
❗Online event on debt cancellation to achieve climate justice
- presentation by the climate justice and solidarity group
- discussion with experts from NL and Kenya
- develop a ideas for a first action
What is climate justice? In short, it means that poor countries, which have little contributed to global warming, are being hit worst by climate change. That is unjust and we, the rich countries, must repay our debt to poor countries for causing global warming.
When? Tuesday October 08, 20.00
Where? Online
October 03: Scientist Rebellion Introduction Meeting
Would you like to join, or know more about Scientist Rebellion NL? In this intro meeting, we will talk about why the group was set up, what we are currently doing, and how to get involved in upcoming events. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
When? Thursday October 03, 20.00
Where? Online, sign up here
14 September 2024: A12 Blockade at the “tunnelbak”, The Hague
SR joined forces with XR in a demonstration demanding to put an end to fossil subsidies, since they have not subsided. With about 40 SR and 1200 in total, it was the largest demonstration at the “tunnelbak”, which is located right in the middle of the triangle of VNO-NCW, who are shamelessly lobbying for these subsidies, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, who pay the subsidies, and the parliament, that legislates and approves these subsidies.
In this edition, several Scientist Rebels gave public lectures about the latest IPCC report, the tipping points that can increase the effect of greenhouse gases on the global climate, and the Climate Justice and Solidarity group’s take on the need for debt release for the Global South. These lectures were supported by two new banners with visuals reproduced from the IPCC report and SR’s own cue card outreach efforts. During the remainder of the demonstration, many people came to look at these graphs and get explanations in one-to-one interactions with scientists wearing their signature lab coats.
May 31: Climate March Amsterdam Zuidas
The crisis is now. The climate and nature crisis threatens everything we hold dear. Drought, heatwaves, and floods are causing victims, chaos, and destruction right now. People have to flee, and our future is at stake. But what are large companies doing? They continue to finance and facilitate new devastating projects that exploit people and the environment. A livable world is slipping through our fingers. And those who are least responsible for it suffer the most.
That’s why on Friday, May 31, at 2:00 PM, we joined the Climate March transforming the Amsterdam Zuidas into the center of change. The Zuidas is the symbol of the power of large polluting companies; this is where the billion-dollar profits are made at the expense of people, nature, and the climate. Here, shareholders are prioritized over the wellbeing of people and the Earth. Here, powerful companies determine the future from their shiny skyscrapers. That Friday, we made a change. Thank’s for joining!
When: Friday, May 31, 14:00
Where: Amsterdam Zuidas
April 29: Tipping Points – Stille wateren
In part two of the Tipping Points series , René van Westen explains why the Gulf Stream is so important to the Netherlands in particular, what factors are tilting this ecosystem and whether it could still cause a new ice age in our lifetime. Fortunately, there are also social tipping points. Laura Burgers was talking about what the global climate justice movement has been up to in recent years. From court-enforced course changes by oil giants and governments to rights for nature and the criminalization of ecocide, an exponentially growing group of lawyers is increasing, case by case, our chances for a livable future. (Language: Dutch)
When: Monday, April 29, 20:00
Where: Pakhuis de Zwijger
April 26: Forfarmers action
On April 26, we let ForFarmers know that their business practices are catastrophic for the environment. We left from Lochem station in a long colorful procession to the ForFarmers office to hand them our demands, including no use of soy and palm oil, no greenwashing and supporting farmers to work nature-inclusive.
When: Friday, April 26 , 13:00
Where: Lochem
April 12: Tata Steel Kooks 1 and 2 action
Tata steel emits 8% of all the GHG in The Netherlands: the largest emitter in the country. In addition, 150,000 people live under Tata’s toxic smoke. RIVM and GGD both conclude there is a link between the (up to 51%) higher incidence of lung cancer and other diseases in the area, and the toxic emissions from Tata Steel. Tata’s plans to reduce the pollution are inadequate and therefore unacceptable. Thus, we joined Kappen met Kolen and XR to demand closing the most unhealthy and polluting parts of Tata.
When: Friday, April 12 , 13:00
Where: Haarlem
April 6: Stop Fossile Subsidies, road block on the A12 in Den Haag
We again joined XR in demanding the Dutch government to stop fossil subsidies. Politicians are not taking action, so pressure must be applied. 2023 is the warmest year ever recorded and The Hague is throwing oil on the fire. It’s time for climate justice.
When: Saturday, April 6 , 12:00
Where: Den Haag near Central Station
March 30: A10 action against ING fossil financing
ING has spent over 60 billion dollars on fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement. This is madness in a climate emergency. Enough is enough! On March 30th SR joined XR on the A10 to demands that ING stops fossil fuel financing. See here for more information on the campaign.
March 23: Action Eindhoven Airport
We joined Extinction Rebellion NL in blocking Eindhoven Airport NV. Traveling by planes leads to excessive pollution, affecting both people’s health and our climate. We demand an immediate stop of private jets, a reduction of all flights by half, and international taxes on kerosine.
“Private jets are the most polluting way to travel worldwide,” says dr. Harald Buijtendijk, senior lecturer at Breda University of Applied Sciences. Private jets and business class flights cause half of all airline pollution, and they are 100% replaceable.
Aviation causes health problems to those living close to Eindhoven Airport or beneath flight paths. Their health is affected by noise (e.g. sleeping problems, cardiac arrhythmias) and pollution via e.g. particulates. Emission standards are heavily exceeded at and around the airport.
Eindhoven Airport says: number of flights can increase from 2027. Instead we demand the airport abolish private jets today & halve the number of flights. We urge our government to create fair competition between international flights and trains by international kerosine taxes.
March 16: International Mass Action: March in Rotterdam
The North Sea is one of the largest offshore oil and gas fields in the world and production is increasing. However, the science and the International Energy Agency are clear: expanding oil and gas production means we are not going to meet the climate targets. But Fossil companies don’t care about this: with their eye on ever-larger profits they are expanding fossil production all around the world and in the North Sea. One Dyas wants to drill North of Schiermonnikoog, Norway’s Equinor is getting dozens of new production sites and the Danes also want to expand. All these fossil fuel companies operate internationally, for example, Equinor gets a 3 billion pound fossil subsidy from the UK government to exploit the Rosebank oil field. In other words, North Sea oil and gas exploitation is an international problem so it is time for international action. Together with our international partners in Britain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany, we are organizing protests on 16 March against further expansion of fossil production in the North Sea. There will be actions in all these countries and we will have ours in Rotterdam. Together we stand strong and cannot be ignored.
March 9: Mass-action Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA)
We join XR in its mass action against private jets flying to the TEFAF art fair. During the first day of TEFAF (art fair for ultra rich 09/03) there are even about 200 in a week. Read all about the action here (Dutch).
When? Saturday March 9, 12.00-14:20
Where? Maastricht- Aachen-Airport, Vliegveldweg 120, Beek, Limburg
March 3: Klimaatactieconferentie
Joint conference of Dutch climate action groups. Language is mainly Dutch. For details, please refer to its website.
March 3: Art session + Potluck dinner + Jam session in Utrecht
In this session, we invite fellow rebel scientists to meet at the “XR maakbasis” in Utrecht to decorate some lab coats/banners and share a potluck dinner. During the art session, we also invite people who play an instrument to join and jam together.
February 24: A10 blockade against ING fossil financing
ING has spent over 60 billion dollars on fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement. This is madness in a climate emergency. Enough is enough!
While ING promised to gradually reduce its fossil financing, their promises are not in line with a pathway that can secure a livable future. Instead, we call on ING to take immediate action and stop funding the destruction of life on Earth.
The call from scientists is clear: it is high time for the financial sector to take responsibility, pull out of fossil fuels, and commit to sustainable investments.
February 18: Statue Sunday
On February 18th scientists from SR blindfolded statues in several Dutch cities, including Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, Terneuzen, and Warmond to call for climate action. This was done as part of a global Statue Sunday action that takes place in more than 15 countries around the world. We demand that the climate and ecological crisis, which threatens our existence, is no longer ignored and downplayed.
February 17: Protest against new gas drilling at EBN
EBN plays a vital role in the Dutch energy transition, so it’s time they focus on a fast transition to sustainable energy resources. On Saturday 17th February, we joined the second blockade in front of the Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN). Our demand is a stop to new gas drilling projects.
February 3: Stop Fossile Subsidies, road block on the A12 in Den Haag
Once again, we were joining XR in demanding the Dutch government to stop fossil subsidies. Politicians are not taking action, so pressure must be applied. 2023 is the warmest year ever recorded and The Hague is throwing oil on the fire. It’s time for climate justice.
January 25: Protest against new gas drilling outside the One Dyas court case in The Hague
We were organizing a Legal Demo at the Court in The Hague to support the legal proceedings initiated by Mobilisation for the Environment (MOB), Deutsche Umwelt Hilfe, the municipality of Borkum (nitrogen), and the World Wide Fund for Nature Netherlands (WWF-NL), Waddenvereniging, Vereniging Natuurmonumenten, and Vrije Horizon Schiermonnikoog (climate and ecological damage) against planned new gas drilling in the North Sea by the Dutch oil- and gas extraction company ONE Dyas, 20 km north of Schiermonnikoog in sector N05-A. Our goal is to show solidarity with this lawsuit. During the demonstration, we had speeches, a small performance by the Blue Rebels, singing, and outreach activities.
2023
December 30: A10 action against ING fossil financing
ING has spent over 60 billion dollars on fossil fuels since the Paris Agreement. This is madness in a climate emergency. Enough is enough! On March 30th SR joined XR on the A10 to demand that ING takes immediate action to stop fossil fuel financing.
December 16: Protest against new gas drilling at EBN
The science is clear: fossil fuels must stay in the ground to prevent climate breakdown. Yet EBN continues to drill for gas on behalf of the Dutch government. On December 16th we protested against EBN’s short-sighted gas extraction policy.
December 15: Stop EACOP
At this very moment Big Oil company TotalEnergies is building the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania.
This destructive pipeline will not only cause 34 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year, but will also destroy nature and wildlife, threaten the water supply and livelihoods of millions of people, and will see tens of thousands expelled from their land. That makes EACOP a colonial project: Total gets the profits, the people who live there the misery.
On December 15th Scientist Rebellion joined an action by Exctinction Rebellion at TotalEnergies in the Hague.
December 4: Blocking a coal train as our contribution to COP28
We successfully delayed a coal train together with “Kappen met Kolen”. This action was part of a global campaign where over 500 scientists and academics in 23 countries have taken action since the start of COP28. The action was covered in Nature news.
November 16: blocking the super yacht forum
The super yacht industry is a sinking ship!
Superyachts are a caricatural symbol of climate and social injustice.
A symbol, because the richest 1% are responsible for more carbon emission than the poorest 50% of the world population,
while these are already the most affected by the deadly consequences of the climate crisis.
On november 16th we blocked an entrance of the super yacht forum at RAI in Amsterdam to protest against greenwashing billionaire hobbies.
November 12: March for Climate and Justice (Klimaatmars)
Scientist Rebellion was part of the march for Climate and Justice.
November 4-5: Amsterdam Museum statue collaboration
Leading up to the Amsterdam Museum Night from Saturday, Nov. 4, to Sunday, Nov. 5, Scientist Rebellion, in collaboration with the Amsterdam Museum, blindfolded a statue of Michiel de Ruyter. The blindfolding action is part of a worldwide movement called “Statue Sunday.”
See the Amsterdam Museum page describing the action.
October 11: Rabobank action
On October 11th we joined Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace and XR Landbouw to protest the policies of Rabobank, who have facilitated unsustainable growth in agriculture and livestock. Rabobank is one of the worlds biggest financers of the meat and dairy industry, a major source of greenhouse gases. We have 2 demands:
- Stop investing money in industrial agriculture that leads to the destruction of nature
- Repair the damage caused at home and abroad – starting with at least 3.1 billion euros in the Netherlands and 9.5 billion euros in Brazil
October 6: SR NL became 2nd in the Trouw duurzame top 100!
On October 6th we were elected 2nd place for the Trouw Duurzame top 100. You can find the Trouw article on the Duurzame top 100 here.
October 1: Klimaatconferentie
On October 1st we co-organized the Klimaatconferentie in Utrecht. At the Klimaatconferentie representatives from the Dutch climate movement and other social movements come together to discuss our action agenda for the coming month.
September 28: ONE-Dyas action: No new gas drilling in the North Sea!
Join us in action in The Hague! 28 Sep, 9:00-11:30 outside the court at Prins Clauslaan 60 The Hague. Very close to the A12 so a double demo is possible that day.
On Thursday, the court rules on a licence issued by oil and gas company ONE-Dyas. This licence allows new gas drilling some 20 km north of Schiermonnikoog in sector N05-A. Four reasons why new gas drilling borders on madness!
- The IPCC and IEA are clear: there should be no new fossil fuel infrastructure if we want to keep the temperature rise below 1.5C. More gas = more emissions
- UNESCO has warned that new drilling projects will jeopardise the UNESCO World Heritage status of the Wadden Sea.
- Gas project N05-A is located in the Borkum Stones reef area, a Natura 2000 site on the German side of the border, and 1.5 km from an oyster reef restoration project.
- More than 400 scientists last year signed our appeal to the government to revoke this permit.
We, Scientist Rebellion and XR North, will make sure our voice is heard and we take action on Thursday 28 September in The Hague!
September 17: Statue Sunday
On September 17, Statue sunday was again organized to demand action against the climate crisis. The blindfolds are accompanied by signs with urgent appeals to the current leaders: “Look at the facts”, “Listen to the science” “This is a climate emergency”. Statue Sunday is a response to the lack of urgency among politicians and policy makers after many alarming scientific publications.
September 15: Large climate education & fossil subsidies demonstration
We joined this action together with XR Onderwijs, Fridays for Future and Teachers for Climate. Location on or near the Malieveld in The Hague. Scientist Rebellion organized a procession of professors in gown, scientists and academics carrying the IPCC report to the demonstration.
There was a short public lecture by professor Erik van Sebille followed by an IPCC reading marathon and conversations with school children, students and teachers about the IPCC report, climate science and the link between other sciences and the climate emergency.
September 9, 10, 15: Stop fossil subsidies, joining and supporting the action organized by Extinction Rebellion
The government spends billions every year on fossil subsidies. For more than 2 years, Extinction Rebellion has been campaigning for taxpayer money to stop supporting the fossil industry. In the last months, this campaign culminated in repeated blockades of the A12, between the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate and the Dutch Parliament.
XR is planning to come back every day until the fossil subsidies are stopped – and we joined them: on the 9th of September, the 10th of September and on the A12 Education day on Friday 15th and will keep you posted about additional days later on.
September 3: Meet some fellow academics, social event
Social event for creating banners and signs, paint lab coats and enjoy a borrel – perfect to find an action buddy!
Why? For fun, to get to know other concerned scientists, to prepare for the A12 support demo or blockade.
Amsterdam West (Nieuwe Anita), Frederik Hendrikstraat 111, 14:00 (but you can drop by also later)
July 8 and August 20: Statue sundays
On July 9 and August 20, Statue sunday was again organized to demand action against the climate crisis. The blindfolds are accompanied by signs with urgent appeals to the current leaders: “Look at the facts”, “Listen to the science” “This is a climate emergency”. Statue Sunday is a response to the lack of urgency among politicians and policy makers after many alarming scientific publications.
June 24: People versus Polluters: Tata Steel
On Saturday 24 June, Greenpeace organized a mass action at Tata steel, demanding that the highly polluting cokes plants will be closed immediately. There was also a support demo organised at the same time.
Tata steel emits 8% of all the GHG in The Netherlands: the largest emitter in the country. In addition, 150,000 people live under Tata’s toxic smoke. RIVM and GGD both conclude there is a link between the (up to 51%) higher incidence of lung cancer and other diseases in the area, and the toxic emissions from Tata Steel. Tata’s plans to reduce the pollution are inadequate and therefore unacceptable. We joined both the action and the support demo.
June 11: Statue sunday
On June 11, Statue sunday was again organized to demand action against the climate crisis. The blindfolds are accompanied by signs with urgent appeals to the current leaders: “Look at the facts”, “Listen to the science” “This is a climate emergency”. Statue Sunday is a response to the lack of urgency among politicians and policy makers after many alarming scientific publications.
May 27: Stop fossil subsidies, joining and supporting the action organized by Extinction Rebellion
The government spends billions every year in fossil subsidies. For more than 2 years, Extinction Rebellion has been campaigning for taxpayer money to stop supporting the fossil industry. In the last months, this campaign culminated in repeated blockades of the A12, between the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate and the Dutch Parliament. We supported and joined their action in January as well as March to highlight that even if their tactics are controversial, Extinction Rebellion’s demands are more aligned with the science than the actions of the Dutch government.
We again joined their action on the 27th of May, with over a hundred scientists and academics from all across the Netherlands; 35 of them were arrested. There was again an orchestra and water cannons.
May 14: Statue sunday
On May 14, Statue sunday was again organized to demand action against the climate crisis. The blindfolds are accompanied by signs with urgent appeals to the current leaders: “Look at the facts”, “Listen to the science” “This is a climate emergency”. Statue Sunday is a response to the lack of urgency among politicians and policy makers after many alarming scientific publications.
May 7-13: Scientist Rebellion international action week
May 7 – 13, Scientist Rebellion organized an internationally coordinated week of action. These actions took place in at least 20 countries, all across the world. The goal was to raise the alarm on the climate and ecological crisis, and to push governments, corporations, and educational institutes to enact changes that make a livable and sustainable future possible.
In the Netherlands we joined this effort with three actions:
- Sunday, May 7: A scientists’ and academics’ march, starting at 13:30 on Dam Square in Amsterdam. There were speeches and live orchestral music.
- Monday, May 8: Coordinated actions at universities across the Netherlands, whose goal was to put a mandatory course on climate and sustainability on the map. The idea was to invite students and staff to reflect on what they feel is missing in the current curricula and what they want to see included on climate.
- Wednesday May 10th: Sit-in at the Ministry of EZK, as visible in this Twitter thread.
April 20: VU Amsterdam cuts ties with the Fossil Fuel Industry
With pressure from Scientist Rebellion VU, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has announced to cut ties with Fossil Fuel Industry. After Princeton University, VU Amsterdam is the second university in the world to cut ties with the fossil fuel industry. Companies that have no credible decarbonization plan have no place in universities.
Will other universities follow? Students, staff, and history are watching.
Nonviolent direct action trainings
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On April 16th, April 30th, May 7th and May 17th, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
April 2, 9, 16 and 23: Statue sundays
On April 2, 9, 16 and 23, Statue sunday was again organized to demand action against the climate crisis. The blindfolds are accompanied by signs with urgent appeals to the current leaders: “Look at the facts”, “Listen to the science” “This is a climate emergency”. Statue Sunday is a response to the lack of urgency among politicians and policy makers after many alarming scientific publications.
April 2: Open meeting
After this intense period of actions, we came together as Scientist Rebellion Netherlands on April 2 to discuss plans for the coming months and get new people involved in organizing. During the open meeting, we brainstormed ideas for the upcoming global Scientist Rebellion actions and discussed various campaign that several university groups are involved with. We presented our different working groups and helped new people get involved. It was a highly productive and enjoyable afternoon!
March 25: Blocking private jet terminal at Eindhoven
On the 25th of March, hundreds of activists and dozens of scientists and academics engaged in direct action against private jets and excessive carbon inequality at Eindhoven airport. We demanded a ban on private jets and a frequent flyer tax. Eindhoven Airport produces air- and noise pollution and damages health of local residents, it does NOT have the required nature permit. Therefore we also demanded from Eindhoven airport to cancel short distance flights.
Private jets are a caricatural symbol of the deep injustice at the heart of the climate and ecological crisis. The richest 1% of the population is responsible for more emissions than the poorest half of the world’s population.
March 25: Statue sunday
On March 25th, the first Statue sunday was organized to demand action against the climate crisis. The blindfolds are accompanied by signs with urgent appeals to the current leaders: “Look at the facts”, “Listen to the science” “This is a climate emergency”. Statue Sunday is a response to the lack of urgency among politicians and policy makers after many alarming scientific publications.
March 19 and 20: Nonviolent direct action trainings
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On March 19th and 20th, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
March 11: Stop fossil subsidies A12 blockade
The government spends billions every year in fossil subsidies. For more than 2 years, Extinction Rebellion has been campaigning for taxpayer money to stop supporting the fossil industry. In the last months, this campaign culminated in repeated blockades of the A12, between the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate and the Dutch Parliament. We supported and joined their action in January to highlight that even if their tactics are controversial, Extinction Rebellion’s demands are more aligned with the science than the actions of the Dutch government.
We again joined their action on the 11th of March, with almost 100 scientists and academics from all across the Netherlands; 37 of them were arrested, making it the largest mass arrest of scientists since the Second World War. There was also an orchestra. And water cannons.
February 25: Nonviolent direct action trainings
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On February 25th and March 8th, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
February 14: Blocking private jet terminal at Schiphol using bikes
On the 14th of February, hundreds of activists and dozens of scientists and academics engaged in direct action against private jets and excessive carbon inequality in 11 countries and over 20 locations. They demand a ban on private jets and a frequent flyer tax. These internationally coordinated actions are a continuation of the Make Them Pay campaign.
We joined this campaign with an action at the private jet terminal at Schiphol, which we blocked using bikes.
January 28: Stop fossil subsidies, joining and supporting the action organized by Extinction Rebellion
The government spends billions every year in fossil subsidies. For more than 2 years, Extinction Rebellion has been campaigning for taxpayer money to stop supporting the fossil industry. In the last months, this campaign culminated in repeated blockades of the A12, between the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate and the Dutch Parliament. We supported their action in November from the sidelines to highlight that even if their tactics are controversial, Extinction Rebellion’s demands are more aligned with the science than the actions of the Dutch government.
We joined their action on the 28th of January, this time both next to and inside the blockade. 16 members of Scientist Rebellion were arrested; there were 768 arrests in total.
Symposium: Academic Activism and the Climate Crisis
The Centre for Political Philosophy at Leiden university hosted a symposium on academic activism and the climate crisis where Scientist Rebellion members were participating. For more details about the event, see here.
Nonviolent direct action training
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On January 18th, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
Local Scientist Rebellion groups
Would you like to become (more) active in Scientist Rebellion, but can’t find the time to join events happening in Amsterdam or The Hague? We started organizing local events at a few universities, and we are taking this further by starting local groups in universities across the country. Such groups could organize social events, discussions about activism by scientists or action trainings locally, but also push for changes at the university level (cutting ties with the fossil industry, including climate change in all curricula, etc.). We had a online call on January 4th to organize this. If you are interested in joining a local group, but are not sure whether one exists yet, email us!
2022
Scientist Rebellion Christmas Event
An amazing year for Scientist Rebellion full of mischief, roaring speeches, posters, letters, and Signal groups came to an end. In the Netherlands, we grew from a small set of core organizers to a large and thriving community. To celebrate, we organized a Climate Fresk workshop and went for a fancy vegan 7-course dinner at a community kitchen in Amsterdam on Saturday, December 17th. It was a lot of fun! Make sure to get involved next year if you aren’t already — we are building a thriving academic community that is eager to create change.
Nonviolent direct action training
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On Sunday 27th November, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
Support action: Stop fossil subsidies
On November 26th, Extinction Rebellion blocked the a12 in the Hague, between the ministry for economic affairs and climate policy and the parliament. It was the 4th time they blocked this specific part of the motorway, as part of a long campaign to demand that the government stops subsidizing the fossil industry. Currently, billions of euros are supporting the industry each year (between 7 and 17 billion euros, the numbers are uncertain because of a lack of transparency). We joined the action on the sidelines to make clear that whether or not you agree with such action tactics, XR’s demands are more aligned with the science and the climate emergency than the actions and promises of the dutch government.
We took XXL posters of reports and papers highlighting the climate emergency, carbon inequalities, and issues with fossil subsidies, and after the action we organized impromptu poster sessions in the shopping streets of the Hague and in trains.
Internationally coordinated actions against private aviation
On the 10th of November, hundreds of activists, including 129 scientists, blocked 11 international private airports to demand a ban on private jets and a frequent flyer tax. Taxation would help both to cut emissions and could be used to pay for loss and damage and fund climate finance for countries most vulnerable to climate breakdown. These demands incorporate a proposal made by the Least Developed Countries Group – representing the most climate-vulnerable countries at COP27 – and have been supported by multiple national Citizens’ Assemblies.
We joined the internationally coordinated actions, which a part of a new campaign called Make Them Pay, with a paper pasting action at the Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management. A short video of all the action is available from here.
Mass civil disobedience action against Schiphol and private jets
On the 5th of November, we joined a mass civil disobedience action organized by Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion. To secure a livable future for all, we must shift into emergency mode. Frequent flying and private jets are the pinnacle of climate injustice. If we are serious about the climate emergency, we must immediately slash these luxury emissions. More generally, aviation must be rapidly scaled down because there are no sustainable pathways for aviation in the short time we have left to avoid climate breakdown. It is unacceptable that big polluters like Schiphol and the aviation industry still get heavily subsidized by the government and have no intention to stop growing.
Nonviolent direct action training
In preparation for the SOS voor het klimaat action organized by Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion, we co-organizing an action training on 30th October in Amsterdam. We talked about the history, theory, and practice of civil disobedience, what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
Paper pasting against gas drilling in the Wadden Sea
On Thursday 27th of October, we pasted scientific articles on the facade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy to protest against the granting of a drilling permit for the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO world heritage site and a fragile ecosystem. In addition to the moral and economic madness of investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure, we cannot allow potentially hazardous impacts on this beloved ecosystem.
Scientist Rebellion actions in Berlin, October
We joined over 60 scientists and academics for a week of climate actions in Berlin, Germany. Acting in coalition with Debt for Climate and Letzte Generation, we disrupted the opening ceremony of the World Health Summit on Sunday, occupied the German Finance Ministry on Monday, protested in front of the German Transport Ministry on Tuesday, and occupied the Porsche Pavilion of Volkswagen.
Our demands were that the German government (a) admit failure — there is no plausible pathway to limit heating to 1.5 degrees; (b) write to the World Bank and the IMF to initiate debt cancellation of the Global South as a first step towards climate justice and climate reparations, and so that they can leave fossil fuels in the ground and fund their renewable energy transition; and (c) take immediate steps towards decarbonizing the transport sector, including a 100 km/h speed limit on motorways and the reintroduction of the 9€-ticket for public transport.
It was empowering to take action with our fellow academics and members of Scientist Rebellion from all across Europe. After the week in Berlin, the actions continued in Munich, Bavaria.
Nonviolent direct action training
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On Sunday 2th October, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
Protest against gas drilling in the Wadden Sea
On September 28th, we protested in front of the economic affairs and climate policy ministry against the granting of a drilling permit for the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO world heritage site and a fragile ecosystem. In addition to the moral and economic madness of investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure, we cannot allow potentially hazardous impacts on this beloved ecosystem. The action followed a letter by Scientists4Future, which warned the government of the effects and was signed by almost 400 scientists, including experts on the Wadden Sea.
Science block at the climate march
On June 19th, more than 10000 people walked through Rotterdam to demand that the government stops supporting the fossil industry, and urgently invests in fair climate policies. Scientists4Future and Scientist Rebellion walked together in the Science Block to show that scientists are also very worried about the lack of emergency action on the climate crisis. The Science Block was a big success, with more than 50 scientists and academics joining from universities and institutes all over the Netherlands!
Scientists’ letter against new gas drilling in the North Sea
On June 1st, the Economic affairs and climate policy ministry announced the granting of a permit for a new gas field in the North Sea, just north of Schiermonnikoog. This comes only a few months after the release of the latest IPCC report, which showed it is essential that we take urgent action on the climate crisis and stop investing in new fossil infrastructure.
In response, more than 400 scientists signed an open letter to the Dutch government to protest this new permit, warning that continued investment in new gas infrastructure will lock in additional decades of greenhouse gas emissions, in complete contradiction with ambitions to keep global warming below 1.5°C. This echoes a series of recent warnings against considering gas as a more “climate-friendly” fossil fuel.
The letter was a joined initiative from Scientist Rebellion and Scientists4Future. We delivered it to MPs at the Tweede Kamer Wednesday 15th June.
Link to the letter and full list of signatories
Scientist Rebellion supports the XR Rebellion against the fossil fuel industry
End fossil fuels before they end us!
From the 19th-24th May, Scientist Rebellion joined a number of XR events and actions against the fossil fuel industry and fossil fuel subsidies. We marched through Rotterdam with hundreds of people, organized a workshop on science and activism as part of the community program, and joined the final disruptive action in front of the Shell buidling, where 2 scientists got arrested.
We have no time to lose and believe scientists need to join the forefront of the climate movement, support and engage in protests and civil disobedience to demand emergency action on the climate and ecological crisis.
Introduction to Scientist Rebellion and action training
When joining a civil disobedience action, it is really important to know what your rights are, and what you can expect to happen during and after the action. On Sunday 15th May, we organized an action training to get more scientists ready for taking civil disobedience action. Would you like to join the next training? Follow our socials or get in touch with us to make sure you know when it takes place.
Mobilization and Strategy Day
The global scientist rebellion was a big success, with hundreds of scientists taking part in protests, strikes, and civil disobedience around the world. What’s next? On the 30th April, we organized a mobilization and strategy day in Amsterdam, which included a short introduction to Scientist Rebellion, collaborative workshops on our strategy and upcoming actions, and lots of energy for the coming months!
Global Scientist Rebellion
From the 4th to the 9th of April, hundreds of scientists worldwide took part to protests, strikes and civil disobedience to demand emergency action on the climate crisis. You can find the press releases for actions that took place in the Netherlands here [ENG] and here [NL].
Scientists climate march
On the 6th April, we walked through the Hague with 50 scientists during the first scientists climate march in the Netherlands. We went to the ministries of finance, foreign affairs, and economic affairs and climate policy, where 3 speakers gave speeches on different aspects of the climate crisis. We believe that scientists, who have been warning for years of the climate and ecological crisis, need to be a more visible part of the climate movement to highlight the emergency.
Civil disobedience action
Scientists have provided the world with crucial information about the climate and ecological crisis for over three decades, yet greenhouse gases continue to rise. Conventional forms of influencing policymakers have failed. This is why Scientist Rebellion argues for a change in tactics, urging scientists to use their privileged position in society and join social movements engaging in nonviolent direct action.
On the 6th April, a group of scientists blocked the entrance of the ministry of economic affairs and climate policies to demand emergency action on the climate crisis. 7 of them got arrested.
Outreach action: Science in the streets
The Scientist Rebellion week in the Netherlands closed with an outreach action in Amsterdam. Scientists wrote quotes and draw graphs from IPCC reports on a large canvas, while others discussed the climate crisis with passerbys stopping to look at the canvas.
