Take action
Scientists for XR is a decentralised and self-organised group that includes scientists and academics located in the UK.
There are a huge range of strategies - from traditional campaigning to civil disobedience - where scientists’ positions, skills, expertise, credibility and networks could be invaluable.
You can take action with us with different levels of commitment
Register to our mailing list to receive news about our meetings and actions (including the newsletter)
Subscribe only to our monthly newsletter
Meet us in our monthly meeting over Zoom
(every 2d Wed of the month 18:30). Email your interest
Connect with your University colleagues
Why and how to get involved as a scientist/academic?
We do not have to be climate scientists or ecologists to talk about the climate and ecological crises
We have valuable skills and training to understand and communicate complex scientific concepts
The general public generally trust and respect scientists and academics. Thus we can help bring legitimacy to the climate and environmental movements
We have greater reach and media access than many other groups
We can choose to act in solidarity with our colleagues who are warning us about climate change
Please also see - “A research career vs campaigning for change: a false dichotomy?” - a brief write-up of a workshop held at the BES Annual Meeting 2023 in Belfast. The workshop was organised by James Bullock, Kristiina Visakorpi and Hazel Norman.
Declaration of support to Non Violent Direct Action signed by more than 1600 Scientists
Learn
Leverage our expertise to gain a deeper understanding of the crises, potential solutions. You can start with the our curated resource page and references below.
Communicate
Spread information about the climate and environmental crises as widely and urgently as possible, through various means such as individual conversations, teaching roles, leading workshops and seminars, or through media outlets. Here are some tips on how to do it successfully.
Influence
Actively work to bring about significant change and action within our workplaces, networks and organisations. Engage with those who have decision-making authority and encourage them to question and re-evaluate the current state of things (fly less, LEAF program, greenlab). Set a good example through your personal and professional choices.
Support Others
The challenges and difficulties of the climate and ecological crisis are undeniable. However, if we come together, show compassion and support each other during difficult times of change, hardship, and uncertainty, there is hope for a brighter future.
Go further
Social scientific evidence, as well as historical precedents, show that social movements can have great capacity to catalyse rapid transitions.
Civil Disobedience by Scientists Helps Press for Urgent Climate Action Capstick et al, 2022, Nature Climate Change
Climate crisis and ecological emergency: Why they concern (neuro)scientists, and what we can do Rae et al, 2022, Brain and Neuroscience Advances
The biospheric emergency calls for scientists to change tactics Racimo et al, 2022, eLife
From Publications to Public Actions: The Role of Universities in Facilitating Academic Advocacy and Activism in the Climate and Ecological Emergency Gardner et al, 2021, Frontiers in Sustainability
Take our poster to your next conference
From Publications to Public Actions: How can scientists and academics respond to the climate and ecological emergency?
Perrin et al , 2023
When we are on action
Why scientists choose activism
Dr Charlie Gardner joins journalist Rachel Donald to discuss why scientists feel forced to choose activism. After decades of ignored data, warnings and suggestions, these same scientists who have been fighting to understand the crisis are taking to the streets to be heard. They discuss ecological systems, energy policy, corrupt politics, media, Extinction Rebellion, how to engage the public and how people can get involved in the face of disastrous inaction. Listen here.
Dr Aaron Thierry joins journalist Rachel Donald to discuss his research, explaining the positive impact of scientists rebelling against government inaction, and why all academics must broaden their understanding of their role as educators to warn their students of the realities of the crisis. He explains the benefits of a decentralised activist movement sharing one single coherent message—and, in doing so, reveals the true sunken cost of fossil fuel infrastructure that will likely send us well over the 1.5 degree limit. Listen here.