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The climate emergency demands scientists take action and here’s how

Nature Reviews Physics volume 5, pages 549–550 (2023)Cite this article

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Despite decades of ever more urgent warnings, humanity is failing to address the climate crisis. Astronomer and climate activist Bernadette Rodgers argues that climate action, in any number of ways, can get results and is a moral and professional responsibility for scientists at this critical moment in human history.

As I write this under hot, smoky skies in yet another ‘unprecedented’ summer of heat and fires, I wonder, what will it take? I don’t believe that people do not care about the climate emergency: most people want action. But entrenched interests1 and societal inertia have prevented the urgent and sweeping changes needed. A far too common excuse for inaction now is that it is “too late”. Yes, climate change will surely get worse before it gets better, but the experts tell us this is still, barely, in our hands. Catastrophic warming will come from future emissions. Think about that. How can we not do everything in our power to stop it?

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  1. Willamette University, Salem, OR, USA

    Bernadette Rodgers

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  1. Bernadette Rodgers
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Correspondence to Bernadette Rodgers.

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The author participates in and provides support to groups carrying out civil disobedience to press for a just and livable future.

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Rodgers, B. The climate emergency demands scientists take action and here’s how. Nat Rev Phys 5, 549–550 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42254-023-00649-1

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