Professor Reyer Gerlagh of Tilburg University was amazed on Saturday during the Extinction Rebellion demonstration on the A12 near The Hague. It was the first time he took part in such a protest. Something that is actually ‘not done’ for a scientist like him.
“I’ve been a scientist for thirty years,” says Reyer. “I have spent thirty years researching the climate and the economy, but I feel that in the end it has less effect than the lobby of the oil industry.” Hence, he decided to join the Extinction Rebellion protest. The measure is full,” he says.
“It makes you despondent.”
“I helped write the IPCC climate report,” continues the professor. ‘Then you write in it that people should take this problem seriously. We need to stop subsidizing fossil fuels. That we must take measures to arrange our energy supply differently. But that happens so slowly! Every time, after every step there is another delaying effect of the oil lobby. And all those delays are successful. It makes you despondent!”
Major changes in society are often initiated, according to Reyer, because people take to the streets at a certain point. “I thought: maybe I should get over the societal standard idea that I as a scientist should not participate in this and just say: I agree with this and I want to indicate that!”
He believes action needs to be taken now. “People just don’t realize that scientists are already looking at how we can reduce the sun’s power in the future: solar radiation management. that’s called. We are working on the question of how we can remove CO2 from the air in the future. Every liter of petrol that you now burn when you drive a car will have to be removed from the air in thirty years’ time. You should let that sink in! Then it is clear that you do not want to subsidize fossil fuels? But we do it anyway! As a scientist, I do see a turnaround, but it is happening very slowly.”
“The water cannons were not deployed at full power.”
Reyer experienced the demonstration as ‘very relaxed’. “The people of Extinction Rebellion insist on non-violence. You have to indicate in advance that you endorse that. You are also not allowed to drink alcohol during the demonstration. They don’t want fun seekers to come, that you really come because you support their goals.”
The professor understands that water cannons were used against the demonstrators. “We disturbed public order there. You are a nuisance to people who want to drive there by car. But in my opinion those water cannons were just bullying, haha.”
He was also sprayed wet himself. “He-le-time! Then they stopped. Then you put on your coat to dry a bit in the sun. Then you’re just a little dry and suddenly… the next beam comes at you! And it’s really a lot of water, more than during a rain shower. But I have to say: those water cannons were not used at full power. They were used as a big shower. Not to spray you off the road.”
“I don’t feel any euphoria or anything.”
The big question is whether he has the idea that the action has been successful? “I wouldn’t know,” the professor agrees. “What have we achieved? I don’t feel any euphoria or anything. I’m actually like: okay, and now? Are we a little further? I have no idea how this landed in the Netherlands.”
Whether he will participate more often in such climate demonstrations? “That’s a good question. I asked myself that too. I think I have to participate again, I think I can’t stop at one time.”