- The University , Employee
- 01/12/2023
Scientists and activists block fossil fuel infrastructure
On Monday, December 4, scientists and academics from Scientist Rebellion along with activists from Kappen met Kolen will block infrastructure for fossil fuels. This action is being organized in light of the international UN Climate Change Conference COP28. The scientists and activists find it problematic that this conference is hosted by the CEO of an oil company, especially because it appears that the CEO is using the conference as an opportunity to make oil and gas deals.
Today, the scientists of Scientist Rebellion announced to the press that they will carry out the blockades on Monday because they believe the presidency of Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber of oil company Adnoc runs counter to the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels. This is because the president intends to use COP28 as a platform to secure oil deals, as the BBC previously reported.
The activists and scientists - Scientist Rebellion has affiliated scientists from all over the Netherlands - consider the blockades of fossil fuel infrastructure an act of civil disobedience. The action follows a letter signed by more than 1,300 scientists, including more than 30 authors of the IPCC, that calls on the public to take collective climate action.
Further inquiries with the action groups reveal that Dutch citizens need not worry about not being able to fill up their tanks on Monday: the action will not involve blocking gas stations or their supply. Considering Kappen met Kolen’s previous actions, it will likely be something more along those lines, say the scientists and activists.
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