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Science in Resistance: The Scientist Rebellion for Climate Justice
Scientists around the world rise up for climate and ecological justice
In April 2022, hundreds of scientists rose in non-violent civil disobedience, breaking the law in more than twenty-eight countries. Risking arrest, they glued their hands to roads, blocked government and corporate buildings, and chained themselves to the White House fence. In Science in Resistance, Fernando Racimo provides a first-person account of the Scientist Rebellion, an international movement of researchers stepping beyond conventional roles to alert the public about the need for action in the climate emergency. Combining personal stories, interviews with scientist-activists, and insights from research on direct action and academia, he explores the challenges scientists face when taking a stand for climate and ecological justice.
Reflecting on his role as a scientist-activist, Racimo describes how he came to be involved in the movement. He also explores the many ways in which academic institutions today are complicit in climate breakdown—whether by accepting funding from and collaborating with the very industries driving it, or by discouraging scientists from speaking up. Drawing on lessons from political science, psychology, ecology, sociology, and the history of science, he explains how academia could be transformed to become an actor for good in the emergency.
In April 2022, hundreds of scientists rose in non-violent civil disobedience, breaking the law in more than twenty-eight countries. Risking arrest, they glued their hands to roads, blocked government and corporate buildings, and chained themselves to the White House fence. In Science in Resistance, Fernando Racimo provides a first-person account of the Scientist Rebellion, an international movement of researchers stepping beyond conventional roles to alert the public about the need for action in the climate emergency. Combining personal stories, interviews with scientist-activists, and insights from research on direct action and academia, he explores the challenges scientists face when taking a stand for climate and ecological justice.
Reflecting on his role as a scientist-activist, Racimo describes how he came to be involved in the movement. He also explores the many ways in which academic institutions today are complicit in climate breakdown—whether by accepting funding from and collaborating with the very industries driving it, or by discouraging scientists from speaking up. Drawing on lessons from political science, psychology, ecology, sociology, and the history of science, he explains how academia could be transformed to become an actor for good in the emergency.
- GenresNonfiction
309 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 10, 2026
Science in Resistance provides a personal insight into Scientist Rebellion, a global movement of scientists campaigning for climate justice. It describes challenges faced by scientist-activists juggling between their academic career and peaceful civil disobedience, and analyses the many systemic barriers stopping scientists from getting involved in activism.
Racimo debunks commonly hold misconceptions about neutrality of science and argues that science can be objective without having to be neutral on issues such as climate justice. Another focus is on systemic injustices of the Western academic system, faced by scientists from the Global South and bearers of Indigenous knowledge.
As a scientist, I found the book highly inspiring and empowering. It inspires hope, not in a passive sense, but an active kind of hope that by solidarity and resistance scientists can actually contribute to a more just world. I believe it should be part of every research group’s book collection.
Racimo debunks commonly hold misconceptions about neutrality of science and argues that science can be objective without having to be neutral on issues such as climate justice. Another focus is on systemic injustices of the Western academic system, faced by scientists from the Global South and bearers of Indigenous knowledge.
As a scientist, I found the book highly inspiring and empowering. It inspires hope, not in a passive sense, but an active kind of hope that by solidarity and resistance scientists can actually contribute to a more just world. I believe it should be part of every research group’s book collection.
September 6, 2026
Science in resistance is a book, that explores the rigid systems, that prevents people from making changes. It gives the reader a refreshing and important insight in a future that is possible, if we dare come together and demand it.
Power is seldom evenly distributed, but there are ways we can make exchange of wealth and knowledge more fair. This book is an honest and humble story about fighting for justice, while honoring our different backgrounds and privileges.
I fully recommend giving it a read. And while you are at it, give a donation to Scientist Rebellion.
Power is seldom evenly distributed, but there are ways we can make exchange of wealth and knowledge more fair. This book is an honest and humble story about fighting for justice, while honoring our different backgrounds and privileges.
I fully recommend giving it a read. And while you are at it, give a donation to Scientist Rebellion.
July 24, 2026
"[...] hope is created by people willing to sacrifice their time, energy, and often their freedom to challenge structures of power"
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews