Scientists Across Globe Demand Action as Climate Crisis Accelerates

Dr. Rose Abramoff chained herself to the White House fence in a protest against the lack of government action taken to address the cimate crisis. Source: Scientist Rebellion

Over 1,000 scientists around the globe engaged in public protests in a desperate plea for the world’s governments to take action against the rapidly accelerating climate crisis. Scientists chained themselves to businesses and government buildings in an effort that organizers are calling “the world's largest-ever scientist-led civil disobedience campaign." 

The protests began in early April after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report warning that the current efforts to curb global heating to 1.5°C by the end of the century are not enough to avoid disaster. Scientists fear that this level of warming could be the “point of no return,” leading to the demise of coral reefs, more extreme weather patterns and a catastrophic rise in sea levels. The target of 1.5°C, set by the Paris Agreement, quickly became the rallying cry of the self-proclaimed “scientist rebellion,” as demonstrators declared “1.5°C is dead, climate revolution now!"

The report set off alarms in the scientific community, prompting NASA scientist Peter Kalmus to chain himself to a JP Morgan Chase building in Los Angeles with three of his colleagues on April 6. A 2020 report by the Sierra Club and other climate advocacy groups revealed that JP Morgan Chase has funneled more funds into fossil fuel projects than any other bank.

Standing outside the building in chains, Kalmus gave a tearful speech calling for an immediate end to the burning of fossil fuels against the backdrop of a green sign stating, “We are nature defending itself.”

“It’s now the eleventh hour and I feel terrified for my kids, and terrified for humanity,” Kalmus wrote in an op-ed published in The Guardian. Kalmus and the other scientists were arrested during the demonstration for refusing to vacate the area.

Across the country in Washington, D.C., seven more scientists were arrested for chaining themselves to the White House Fence as they demanded President Biden take stronger action to address the dire state of the climate crisis. Despite the arrests, another group of climate activists marched down I-395 two days later, blocking traffic on one of the city’s busiest highways, before being detained yet again.

"I'm taking action to urge governments and society to stop ignoring the collective findings of decades of research," said Dr. Rose Abramoff, one of the scientists present at both demonstrations. “"Let's make this crisis impossible to ignore."

The civil disobedience wasn’t limited to the U.S. 

In Germany, scientists blocked a bridge near the parliament building in Berlin. In Spain, they occupied the Spanish Parliament building, splashing red paint across the steps in a defiant action against the government for failing to respond to the climate emergency. In the United Kingdom, scientists glued their hands to the glass of the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Scientist Rebellion members stage a protest in Berlin, Germany. Source: Stefan Mueller, Scientist Rebellion

Dr. Aaron Thierry, one of the scientists arrested in the UK, echoed the anguish of his fellow protestors. “Science tells us that this approach will condemn our civilisations to destruction. We will not stand by and let this happen,” he continued. “Scientists have been sounding the alarm for decades but have been ignored by governments.”

As the clock continues ticking on the climate crisis, members of the scientists' rebellion assure that more activism will soon follow.

Kamlus said, “It’s time for all of us to stand up and take risks and make sacrifices for this beautiful planet that gives us life, that gives us healthy air.”