Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island

Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island represents the United States and Canada. We are a multi-disciplinary group of scientists united by this thought: we understand the breadth and magnitude of the climate crisis and we are damned determined to do something about it. SRTI believes that scientists and scholars should be at the forefront of the climate struggle. Engaging in non-violent direct action, including civil disobedience, is our way of rebellion. We speak out and disrupt, sounding the alarm to push for climate justice and ensure a better future for generations to come. We are thinkers. We are whistle-blowers. We are defenders. We will not be quiet.

Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island (SRTI) was started in late 2021 as a local chapter of Scientist Rebellion's global movement. SRTI had a major action campaign in April 2022 in Washington DC with multiple scientists locked on to the fence of the White House. At same time there was a major action in LA where scientists, including NASA scientist Peter Kalmus chained themselves to JP Morgan Chase bank and were surrounded by >100 SWAT police.

We helped to organize Scientists Speak Out actions in 2024's Summer of Heat and 2025 Stop Billionaires Summer, in addition to supporting and participating in numerous actions and campaigns across the continent. We have participated in major scientific conferences, including AGU and ESA, to encourage activism by scientists.

In 2023 SRTI went from about 20 activists to over 200 activists. We continue to grow. We are organized into local hubs and action groups, in addition to working groups for all of Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island (Canada & the US).

Globally, Scientist Rebellion is a horizontal decentralized movement composed of multiple local chapters in different countries. Local chapters coordinate internationally for global campaigns.

Testimonials

"If I had the opportunity to make some kind of difference and I didn't take it, I would regret that my whole life. When things get worse in terms of global heat and climate impacts, I need to know that I tried to do everything I could." ~ Dr. Peter Kalmus, NASA Earth Scientist

"When you are living in the midst of a planetary emergency and literally everything is on the line then what we have to do as scientists changes. We can't be quiet anymore. We have to be loud and stand up for science. We can't just keep following the rules. Sometimes we actually have to break the rules." ~ Zev Imani, PhD Student