Journal article "Actions speak louder than words: the case for responsible scientific activism in an era of planetary emergency", published by the Royal Society Open Science, July 2024.
The climate and ecological crises have escalated into an unprecedented planetary emergency, yet scientific warnings continue to be ignored by policymakers and institutions. Traditional approaches like publishing research and offering policy advice have proven inadequate in driving meaningful action. Instead, this article presents a compelling case for scientists to embrace activism, including participation in social movements and even civil disobedience, to challenge entrenched systems that prioritize profit over planetary well-being.
The discussion illustrates the failure of current governance structures to act on well-established scientific evidence. Despite overwhelming research on climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, governments and corporations continue to support destructive industries. Fossil fuel subsidies serve as a glaring example, with governments worldwide persisting in subsidizing fossil fuels by hundreds of billions of dollars annually, despite clear scientific consensus on their catastrophic impact.
Given this systemic inertia, scientific activism is framed as not just an ethical responsibility but a necessity. History has shown the power of civil resistance in bringing about significant social change. Movements such as the civil rights movement and anti-apartheid activism relied on nonviolent direct action to challenge the status quo, demonstrating that disruption can be a powerful catalyst for change. While civil disobedience alone will not solve the planetary crisis, it can disrupt the structures that uphold environmental destruction and create pressure for reform.
However, activism is not limited to public demonstrations. Scientific institutions—including universities, national academies, and learned societies—must lead by example. Many of these institutions still maintain financial ties to fossil fuel companies, undermining their credibility. It is deeply hypocritical for institutions that claim to champion sustainability to accept funding from industries driving planetary collapse. The article calls for immediate divestment from fossil fuels and the adoption of stringent sustainability policies.
At the same time, responsible scientific activism must remain rooted in evidence-based discourse. While concerns exist that activism may compromise scientific neutrality, science itself is not neutral when the stakes are existential. A balance must be struck between credibility and urgency, ensuring that activism remains both impactful and intellectually rigorous.
The article concludes with a call to action: scientists must step out of their traditional roles and actively engage in the fight for planetary survival. The window for action is rapidly closing, and if action is not taken now, then when? As the saying goes,
"To know, and not to act, is not to know" – Wang Yang-ming.
This discussion serves as a rallying cry for the scientific community, urging it to move beyond passive advocacy and into meaningful resistance. In an era where inaction equals complicity, scientists have both the moral duty and the strategic power to catalyze the radical changes necessary for a sustainable future.
This text is based on extracts from a perspective article written by Tristram Dick Wyatt, Charlie Gardner and Aaron Thierry in the Royal Society Open Science Journal, July 2024. The original article can be found here.