The world is moving in the wrong direction and fast when it comes to climate and nature issues. Greenhouse gas emissions are rising, the planet is warming, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and biodiversity loss is continuing at a rapid pace. These rapid changes are already having devastating impacts on human societies. Yet governments around the world continue to ignore scientific warnings calling for urgent and transformative change, and instead pursue policies that prioritize vested interests. In short, social and political systems at all levels are failing to protect the planet, even as scientists do their utmost to warn of “the rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all.”

The emergence of social movements as a response

In response to the systemic failure of governments to act on scientific evidence, a new wave of environmental social movements has emerged in the past five years. These movements are actively challenging the balance of power and pushing the climate and biodiversity crises higher up the public, media and political agenda. They provide key opportunities to push for change, and the authors argue that the scientific community can support them in myriad ways. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) even acknowledges with “high confidence” that “collective action as part of social or lifestyle movements is fundamental to systemic change.” These organizations, from school strikes and Extinction Rebellion to new groups emerging around the world, employ a wide range of approaches – from traditional campaigns and protests to direct action and nonviolent civil disobedience (NVCD). Their aim is to exert political pressure on decision-makers to be more ambitious and to focus public and media attention on the climate and ecological emergency. To be truly effective forces for transformative change, these social movements need to grow rapidly in size, reach and influence, all of which can be strengthened by greater support and participation from a broad spectrum of scientists.

Why should scientists get involved?

As scientists, our professional ethics require us to be guided by the best available evidence. In the case of climate and nature, this highlights the need for far-reaching and urgent action. It is important not only to express concerns verbally and in writing, but also to act in a way that is consistent with our warnings. If scientists do not act, they risk undermining their own advice, as policymakers and the general public may question how serious these problems are if scientists are conspicuously absent from social movements advocating for change. Despite concerns about potential loss of credibility, public trust, or professional reputation, engaging in scientific activism, particularly through nonviolent civil disobedience, can be extremely effective because scientists are still widely trusted and respected messengers. Engaging in actions or advocacy has not been shown to have a negative impact on public trust in scientistsFurthermore, there is a strong argument that scientists should not be “neutral” on issues such as the climate and biodiversity crises.

Barriers to engagement

However, globally, there remains a large gap between the number of scientists willing to engage in climate advocacy (58%), participate in legal protests (47%) or nonviolent civil disobedience (45%), and the much lower number of those already engaged in these activities (29%, 23% and 10%). Many scientists cited barriers and concerns, including a perception that they lack the necessary skills; fear, however unfounded, of losing credibility, public trust and/or professional reputation; impact on employment prospects; lack of time, opportunities or institutional support to engage; experiences of anxiety or burnout; or simply not knowing “how to get started”.

Practical ways scientists can contribute

Scientists can contribute to social movements in a variety of ways, depending on their skills, interests, and circumstances.

• Research and teaching: Scholars can refocus their research on examining the effectiveness of different activist strategies and goals, helping to generate necessary knowledge for social movements. Educators can educate their students about social movements and how social change occurs by incorporating these materials into their curricula.
• Support and facilitation: Expressing support from the scientific community through scientific publications, commentaries, media interviews, or social media lends credibility and legitimacy to social movements. Scientists can also provide support as experts with knowledge of the severity of environmental crises, for example by speaking at public hearings or providing expert testimony in court. They can also clarify complex research and offer lectures or training to ensure activists are informed. Scientists can support reform campaigns within scientific and academic institutions, such as divesting funding from polluting industries, decarbonizing laboratories and campuses, or promoting sustainable eating habits.
• Active participation: Scientists can directly participate in disruptive actions that can lead to arrest, as Carl Sagan, James Hansen, or Julia Steinberger have done. A significant amount of the work takes place outside of the public domain and includes organizing meetings, recruiting and training new members, communicating through the press and social media, developing strategy, planning events, networking with partners, and raising funds. Many of these tasks require professional skills that scientists have developed throughout their careers. Scientists can also play a supporting role with minimal risk of arrest, such as as legal observers, police liaisons, or spokespersons. Social movements also employ other tactics beyond disruptive civil disobedience that provide scientists with ways to participate in protests that may be perceived as less risky or controversial, such as boycotts, strikes, street theater, lectures, and fasts.

Traditional scientific approaches to communication have not yet been able to sufficiently influence policy. By engaging in social movements and embracing advocacy and activism as an integral part of their roles Scientists can help catalyze the transformative changes we urgently need. Since the impact and ultimate success of these movements depends largely on the number of people who support them, the involvement of scientists can lend them additional legitimacy and credibility, and thus help recruit further support. JRi

Study was published in the journal Nature