In Botswana came the realisation

One day Marthe Wens researches the effects of drought. The next day she blockades the A12 in The Hague to demand an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Wens is an assistant professor at the Institute for Environmental Studies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and an activist with Scientist Rebellion, the sister organisation of Extinction Rebellion. ‘In activism, we actually always win,’ says Wens. ‘Either we achieve our goal and get our message across, or there is media attention — for instance when our right to protest is taken away and the police suppress us — and either way we spread our message.’

Wens’ activist drive was ignited by her work. Something clicked when the drought researcher met with policymakers in Botswana a few years ago to discuss the increasing risk of drought and its consequences for agriculture. ‘No matter how well people adapt to drought, the consequences keep coming. That’s why I advised them to tackle the root cause — climate change.’ Then came the moment of realisation. ‘How can I, as a Western scientist, tell people in Botswana that they need to combat climate change, when the Dutch government won’t even honour its own climate commitments?’

False reassurance

The Netherlands bears a great responsibility for the climate crisis, and scientists play an important role in that, according to Wens. ‘In society, academics are seen as trustworthy. When scientists don’t speak out, that creates a false sense of reassurance.’ She saw this with her own mother. ‘She trusted that “we” would find a solution to the climate crisis — because otherwise, wouldn’t we all be more worried? In reality, the solutions already exist. It’s politics that fails to implement them.’

‘When scientists don’t speak out, that creates a false sense of reassurance’

One of Wens’ recent actions was a protest at Schiphol Airport against the frequent-flyer programmes of airlines. On International Women’s Day, she and fellow rebels from Scientist Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion brought the airport’s moving walkways to a standstill. ‘In my research, I see that women in the Global South are having to walk ever greater distances to fetch water due to increasing drought. Meanwhile, frequent-flyer programmes incentivise people to fly even more, which worsens the climate crisis.’ Wens was surprised by how many people wanted to hear what she had to say. ‘We even got a few thumbs up from passers-by.’

Disobedience

Wens’ activism did not begin with motorway or airport blockades. She started small — visiting websites and filling in forms, for instance. ‘That’s how I discovered what the options were. After a few months, I plucked up the courage to attend an information session. After that, I watched protests from the sidelines until I felt ready to take part myself.’ Step by step, Wens discovered how well organised activist groups are. ‘Almost nobody grows up with the civil disobedience that so defines Extinction Rebellion. We all step outside our comfort zone and everyone finds that daunting. That’s why we support one another, both mentally and physically. You can rely on each other, and that’s where we draw our energy, strength, and hope from.’