Over the past year, climate activists have been seen in everything from coups in Melodifestivalen to glued to motorways. On Friday, they managed both to interrupt Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari during her speech in the Riksdag and to march slowly on busy streets in Stockholm.
A few weeks ago, 27 researchers wrote an article in Sydsvenskan with the message that researchers may need to take the step to become climate activists, as a reaction to politicians' actions in the environmental and climate field.
Want to take action
Thomas Hörberg, associate professor of Linguistics at Stockholm University, is one of the authors behind the article. He believes that it is important to take action.
"Given that politicians and decision-makers have basically ignored the measures required by research, for over 30 years, researchers need to go out to make a mark.
Jeannette Eggers conducts research in sustainable forestry and also believes that researcher activism is necessary. In her role as a researcher, she has participated in several climate demonstrations and is considering participating in peaceful civil disobedience.
"We've tried all sorts of things, written books and research articles, but that's obviously not enough. We need to be heard more," she says.
Can damage credibility
But several researchers believe that some activism risks damaging scientific credibility. Björn-Ola Linnér, professor of climate policy, sees a risk that researchers who are also active in activist groups are not perceived as independent.
"Some people want to suspect the research for political and ideological reasons, so when researchers are not perceived as independent, it can be used against climate research. Climate activism risks backfiring in the long run.
On the contrary, Thomas Hörberg believes that trust in research is strengthened if researchers act.
Hear in the clip about why he continues to participate in demonstrations.