'We declare our support for Extinction Rebellion': an open letter from Australia's academics

Extract from The Guardian

Climate change

Leading academics from around the country say it is their moral duty to rebel to ‘defend life itself’

Fri 20 Sep 2019 04.00 AEST

The Amazon fires are just one symptom of the ecological crisis gripping our planet. Photograph: Eraldo Peres/AP

We the undersigned represent diverse academic disciplines, and the views expressed here are those of the signatories and not their universities. While our academic perspectives and expertise may differ, we are united on one point: we can no longer tolerate the failure of the Australian government, or any other government, to take robust and urgent action to address the worsening ecological crisis.
The science is clear, the facts are incontrovertible. We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with about 200 species becoming extinct each day. This includes many species of insects, some of which are essential to our food systems. Many people around the world have already died or been displaced from the effects of a rapidly warming climate. July 2019 was the Earth’s hottest on record. Arctic peat is burning and ice is melting at rates far beyond even the most radical scientific predictions. The Amazon is burning at an alarming rate. All are creating devastating feedback loops, releasing more CO2 and reducing the Earth’s heat reflecting capacities.

Humans cannot continue to violate the fundamental laws of nature or ignore the basic science with impunity. As oceans rise and temperatures soar, ecosystems will continue to collapse. As resources diminish, social unrest and civilisation collapse are likely. The most marginalised and vulnerable in society will be hit first and hit hardest. And If we continue on our current path, the future of our own species is bleak.
The Earth has already undergone a 1C rise in global mean temperature since pre-industrial times and reports now suggest that a rise of any more than another 0.5C will be devastating. Preventing this will require a global transition to zero-carbon economies immediately. Conservative reports say we have 30 years to make this transition, but more recent science suggests we have closer to 10. Fortunately, we have the technology available to do this, but it will only be possible if we act now, and urgently.
Australia’s current climate policies and practices are dire. Rather than making the urgent structural changes necessary for a sustainable and just transition toward zero emissions, the Australian government is continuing to prop up and expand coal and other CO2-emitting industries. Australia is not even meeting its Paris agreement targets which, according to recent reports, are themselves far from adequate.
It is unconscionable that we, our children and grandchildren should have to bear the terrifying brunt of this unprecedented disaster. When a government wilfully abrogates its responsibility to protect its citizens from harm and secure the future for generations to come, it has failed in its most essential duty of stewardship. The ‘social contract’ has been broken, and it is therefore not only our right, but our moral duty, to rebel to defend life itself.

We therefore declare our support for the Extinction Rebellion (XR) movement and the global week of non-violent civil disobedience and disruption planned for October. We stand behind XR’s demands for the Australian government to declare a climate emergency and to establish a citizens’ assembly to work with scientists on the basis of current evidence to develop a credible and just plan for rapid total decarbonisation of the economy.
In addition, we call on all Australian universities and other major institutions to immediately divest funds from all fossil fuel and other industries which are contributing to the climate crisis, and to redirect investments urgently toward the renewable energy sector and other climate enhancing technologies.
We also recognise the crucial role First Nations people in Australia and across the globe, have played for tens of thousands of years, and continue to play, in maintaining species, and caring for the land, water and air. We therefore declare our support for the urgent establishment of a treaty with First Nation Australians, to recognise Indigenous sovereignty and to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to continue protecting what they have already cared for, for so long.
Signed,
Dr Peta Malins, RMIT University
Prof Rob Watts, RMIT University
Kara Sandri, RMIT University
Prof Alison Young, University of Melbourne
Dr Kirsty Duncanson, La Trobe University
Dr Maria Elander, La Trobe University
Dr Rachel Loney-Howes, University of Wollongong
Dr Bianca Fileborn, University of Melbourne
Dr Kari Lancaster, University of New South Wales
Dr Hannah Robert, La Trobe University
Emeritus Prof Paul Patton, University of New South Wales
Dr Linda Kouvaras, University of Melbourne
Nadia David, RMIT University
Anna Hickey-Moody, RMIT University
Dr Kate Driscoll, RMIT University
Ellan Lincoln-Hyde, University of Melbourne Alumni
Catherine Strong, RMIT University
Prof Daniel Palmer, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Charles Livingstone, Monash University
Laura Griffin, La Trobe University
Dr Karen Crawley, Griffith University
Amy Boyle, University of Wollongong
Alasdair Henry, RMIT University
Prof Ian Lowe, Griffith University
Emeritus Prof Joseph A Camilleri OAM, La Trobe University
Dr Deborah Bower, University of New England
Prof Judith Bessant, RMIT University
Connor Jolley, RMIT University
Prof Jill Blackmore, FASSA AM, Deakin University
Emeritus Prof Anna Yeatman, Western Sydney University
Emeritus Professor Michael Rowan, University of South Australia
Dr Piper Rodd, Deakin University
Prof Jeff Malpas, University of Tasmania
Prof Janet McCalman AC, FAHA, FASSA, University of Melbourne
Dr Amy Nethery, Deakin University
Robin Bellingham, Deakin University
Gabrielle Dalsasso, University of Melbourne
Prof Patrick McGorry, University of Melbourne
Dr Francesca Bussey, Deakin University
Prof Paul James, Western Sydney University
Adj Prof Verity Burgmann, Monash University
Prof Andrew Milner, Monash University
Dr Charles Barbour, Western Sydney University
Dr Trace Ollis, Deakin University
Dr Maree Pardy, Deakin University
Prof Joseph M Siracusa, RMIT University
Michael Bird, James Cook University
Dr Lucinda McKnight, Deakin University
Lucy Maxwell, RMIT University
Dr Jo Elliott, Deakin University
Prof Lyn Yates, University of Melbourne
Prof Margaret Thornton, Australian National University
Assoc Prof Nicola Henry, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Vivien Holmes, ANU
Prof Keith Jacobs, University of Tasmania
Dr Crystal McKinnon, RMIT University
Dr Sharon Andrews, RMIT University
Dr Michael Crowhurst, RMIT University
Dr Larissa Sandy, RMIT University
Dr Liz Curran Assoc. Professor, ANU College of Law
Emeritus Prof Adrian Evans, Monash University
Dr Angelika Papadopoulos, RMIT University
Dr Simon Kerr, La Trobe University
Christine Craik, RMIT University
Dr Max Kelly, Deakin University
Dr Greg Dingle, La Trobe University
Anneka Ferguson, Australian National University
Dr Marcus Banks, RMIT University
Prof Rob White, University of Tasmania
Dr Eve Mayes, Deakin University
Belinda Johnson, RMIT University
Brooke Wilmsen, La Trobe University
Dr Benjamin Habib, La Trobe University
Dr Samantha Balaton-Chrimes, Deakin University
Dr Kellie Sanders, Deakin University
Danielle Chubb, Senior Lecturer, Deakin University
Dr Rebecca Monson, Australian National University
Prof Christine Parker, University of Melbourne
Liz Conor, La Trobe University.
Dr Kathryn Gilbey, University Southern Queensland
James Rowe, RMIT University
Dr Sebastian Cordoba, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Georgina Heydon, RMIT University
Bruce Mountain, Victoria University
Dr Anita Smith, La Trobe University
Assoc Prof Karien Dekker, RMIT University
Prof Emerita Carol Bacchi, University of Adelaide
Dr Ralph Newmark, La Trobe University
Pamela Taylor-Barnett, Australian National University
Peter Christoff, University of Melbourne
Assoc Prof Becky Batagol, Monash University
Dr Emily Gray, RMIT University
Melissa Laing, RMIT University
Juliana Ryan, RMIT University
Shane Duggan, RMIT University
Dr Monica Barratt, RMIT University
Dr Peter Ferguson, Deakin University
Orana Sandri, RMIT University
Adrian Farrugia, La Trobe University
Dr Alison Lugg, RMIT University
Philippa Collin, Western Sydney University
Aleryk Fricker, RMIT University
Peta White, Deakin University
Dr Marietta Martinovic, RMIT University
Dr Will Grant, ANU
Peter Chambers, RMIT University
Dr Rowena Maguire, Queensland University of Technology
Dr Elise Klein (OAM), University of Melbourne
Robin Cameron, RMIT University
Claire Loughnan, University of Melbourne
Thomas Moore, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Wendy Steele, RMIT University
Professor Jago Dodson, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Anastasia Powell, RMIT University
Professor Murray Lee, University of Sydney
Margareta Windisch, RMIT
Professor Kane Race, University of Sydney
Jane Park, University of Sydney
Prof Reece Walters, Deakin University
Prof Libby Porter, RMIT University
Prof Ron Adams, Victoria University
Prof Meaghan Morris, University of Sydney
Jharana Bhattarai, RMIT University
Dr Grace Sharkey, University of Sydney
Honorary Assoc Prof Anitra Nelson, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Asher Flynn, Monash University
Patricia Lloyd, ACU International, Melbourne
Dr Helen Keane, ANU
Assoc Prof Thom van Dooren, University of Sydney
Emeritus Prof Tim Rowse, Western Sydney University
Dr Elizabeth Humphrys, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Heather Benbow, University of Melbourne
Tinonee Pym, Swinburne University of Technology
Dr Anthony Hopkins, Australian National University
Dr. Gemma Hamilton, RMIT University
Mittul Vahanvati, RMIT
Ms Lisa de Kleyn, RMIT University
Michele Ruyters, RMIT University
Dr. Blanche Verlie, RMIT University
Liam Clapp, RMIT University
Alex Poll, Swinburne University
Dr Benjamin Cooke, RMIT University
Dr. Adriana Keating, RMIT University
Assoc Prof Wendy Steele, RMIT
Prof Jill Blackmore,
Dr Cullan Joyce, University of Divinity
Carlos Eduardo Morreo, Australian National University
Dr Rachel Forgasz, Monash University.
Rod Quantock OAM, Melbourne University
James Desmond, Monash University
Pamela Lyon, Flinders University
Matthew Flinders, Flinders University
Dr Emma Shortis, RMIT University
Professor Mark R. Shortis, RMIT University
Peter Young, Griffith University
Professor Allison Kealy, RMIT University
Kathleen Aikens, Monash University
Polly Chester, Griffith University
Dr Paul Harris, Griffith University
Bronwyn Charles, Griffith University
Dr Brett Carter, RMIT University
Dr. Peter Raisbeck, University of Melbourne
Dr Pooja Sawrikar, Griffith University
Mariela Soto-Berelov, RMIT University
Marilyn Casley, Griffith University
Dr Till Mostowlansky, Monash University
Dr Brook Bolander, Monash University
Dr Michelle Newcomb, Griffith University
Tania Webster, Monash University
Dr Claudia Catterall, Ecologist, Southern Cross University
Dr Sander Scheffers, Southern Cross University
Dr Helen Maguire, University of Sydney
Neil Gunningham, Australian National University
Prof Kate Burridge, Monash University
Dr Judith Rosentreter, Southern Cross University
Emeritus Prof David Farrier, University of Wollongong
John Braithwaite, Australian National University
Dr Jennifer Boddy, Griffith University
Prof Scott Gregory Johnston, Southern Cross University
Prof Jacqueline Peel, University of Melbourne
Assoc Prof Iris Duhn, Monash University
Cam Pettiona, Monash University
Emeritus Prof Ben Boer, University of Sydney
Ben Abraham, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Judith Dwyer, Flinders University
Gina Chow, Monash University
Doctor Kevin Glencross, Southern Cross University
Dr Ross Goldingay, Southern Cross University
Mona Malekzadeh, Southern Cross University
Dr Brent Keogh, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Kirin Apps, Cross University
Associate Professor Tema Milstein, University of New South Wales
Ceylena Holloway, Southern Cross University
Dr Lynette Pretorius, Monash University
Dr Allie Ford, Monash University
Dr Francesca da RiminiUniversity of Technology Sydney
Dr Martin Wolterding, Western Sydney University.
Adj Prof Melinda Rackham, University of South Australia
Dr Tony Haigh, Western Sydney University
Lorraine Walker, Monash University
Dr Phillipa McCormack, University of Tasmania
Jasmine Evans, Monash University
Dr. Jeremy Walker, University of Technology Sydney
Dr Nicole Graham, The University of Sydney
Dr Alessandro Pelizzon, Southern Cross University
Assoc Prof Amelia Thorpe, University of NSW
Professor Jan McDonald, University of Tasmania
Assoc Prof Kate Galloway, Bond University
Una Stone, RMIT
Prof Kathy Bowrey, University of NSW
Prof Rosemary Lyster, University of Sydney
Dr Peter Jones, James Cook University
Professor Kathy Bowrey, Faculty of Law, University of NSW
Assoc Prof Belinda Smith, Sydney Law School
Adj Prof Rob Fowler, University of South Australia.
Stefan Ziemer, Monash University
Trudi Gilmore, Monash University
Tully O’Neill, RMIT University
Dr Bertram Jenkins, University of New England
Assoc Prof Amy Lykins, University of New England
Sarah McCook, RMIT University
Dr Nicolette Larder, University of New England
Lena Molnar, RMIT University
Dr Shelley Wright, University of New England
Liz Charpleix, University of New England
Mia De Seram, Monash University
Karin von Strokirch, University of New England
Dr Gang-Jun Liu, RMIT University
Dr Pam Mulhall, Monash University
Dr Einar Thorsteinsson, University of New England
Madeline Taylor, University of Sydney
Dr Peter Lawrence, University of Tasmania
Prof Danielle Celermajer, University of Sydney
Lincoln Turner, Monash University
Dr Sandra D’Urso, Melbourne University
Prof Rachelle Buchbinder, Monash University
Prof Andrea Reupert Monash University
Barbara Cramer, Monash University
Lisa Ford, Monash University
Dr Frances Quinn, University of New England
Joy Whitton, Monash University
Prof Roy Tasker, Western Sydney University
Dr. Lesley Freeman, , Monash University
Dr Marty Branagan, University of New England
Iliana O’Donnell, Monash University
Bridget Sadler, Monash University
Prof Naomi Langmore, Australian National University
Alan Reid, Monash University
Dr Tanya Howard, University of New England
Tim Collins, University of New England
Robert Rollin, Southern Cross University
Kylie Fennessy, Monash University
Assoc Prof Alice Gaby, Monash University
Dr David Moore, Monash University
Joanne Williams, Griffith University
Claire Hutton, Monash University
Dr Yuntian Brian Bai, RMIT University
Craig Taylor, Southern Cross University
Assoc Prof Lee Stickells, University of Sydney
Anna Filipi, Monash University
Jennifer Miles, Monash University
Dr Robyn Dwyer, La Trobe University
Dr. Kim Polistina, Southern Cross University / CQUniversity
David Sabetfar, Monash University
Dr Rose Andrew, University of New England
Steve Mitchell, Monash University
Dr Amanda Beasley, Southern Cross University
Chris Ancora, Monash University
Jared Mansfield, Monash University

*This is an edited and adapted version of an open letter from 100 UK Academics published in The Guardian in 2018 (prepared by Alison Green and others, and adapted with permission).