In October 2022, over 100 scientists and academics from across Europe risked arrest and imprisonment in a series of coordinated direct actions by Scientist Rebellion, which took place in Berlin, Munich and Wolfsburg, in Germany. The scientists put forward three core demands:
* Admit Failure: There is now no viable pathway for staying below the global 1.5°C warming limit. Governments must admit their failure to keep us within the climate safe zone, and then act on that failure like climate science matters.
* Cancel Debt: Demand the world community cancel financial debt owed by countries that have done the least to contribute to the climate emergency, so as to facilitate a sustainable transition to renewable infrastructure in those countries.
* Decarbonise Transport: Initiate a just and rapid decarbonisation of the transport sector - one of the largest sources of carbon emissions. Crucially, this includes making public transport affordable to all.
In this episode, Fernando Racimo (Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen) provides background on these actions, and shares his experiences as an academic on the frontlines of climate activism.
