An open letter to Dr Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Cambridge Zero

Friday, March 12, 2021

Dear Dr Shuckburgh,

In recent days, George Monbiot and Mark Lynas have withdrawn as speakers in the Science Museum’s Climate Talks series because of the museum’s connections with BP and Equinor. We are writing to ask you to consider doing the same.

Sponsorship deals such as those that BP and Equinor hold with the Science Museum allow the fossil fuel companies to legitimise their extractive activities. As you will be aware, those activities are a major cause of the climate and ecological crisis we now find ourselves in. Recent UN analysis has shown that current governmental action is falling significantly short of what is needed in order to prevent a 1.5 degrees rise in temperature (1). In many parts of the world, people are already experiencing the severe consequences of climate breakdown. For example, sea level rise and extreme weather events in Bangladesh are leading to illness, displacement and death for millions of people (2). Meanwhile, BP and Equinor continue to explore and create more oil and gas extraction sites, investing a much smaller proportion of their capital in renewables (3).

The extent of the Science Museum’s participation in the promotion of BP’s brand became clear recently. Through an FOI request, Culture Unstained obtained email records between the Director of the Science Museum and a BP employee showing that the former was actively working to counter negative publicity directed toward BP (4). While other arts, cultural and academic institutions are increasingly refusing to take money from the oil industry, the Science Museum appears to be doubling down on its support.

The Science Museum’s decision to hold the Climate Talks series while actively engaging in the legitimation of the oil industry is worse than hypocrisy - it is helping to sustain the very social license that allows these corporations to continue profiting from a global crisis. Any honest conversation about the climate and ecological crisis would necessarily involve a frank discussion of the harm being done by extractivism, and in particular, the growing impacts on frontline and indigenous communities. Will such a discussion be possible in an institution that has so openly aligned itself with the interests of the oil industry?

The same could be said of the University of Cambridge, which while housing ‘Cambridge Zero’ continues to have financial, social and academic ties with fossil fuel companies. We are asking you to send a strong signal that this needs to change. As the University begins to recognise the destructive nature of fossil fuel investments, we urge Cambridge Zero to lead the way in cutting other ties with destructive industries.

As both Monbiot and Lynas have observed, the presence of high-profile figures such as yourself at the Science Museum Group’s Climate Talks serves to shore up the profile and perceived green credentials of the connected corporations (5). As a Cambridge academic with extensive experience in the field, and as the director of Cambridge Zero, you hold significant social and intellectual capital. We request that you consider withdrawing from Science Museum events until they have committed to cutting all ties with fossil fuel companies.

Yours Sincerely,

The Undersigned

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Withdrawn Climate Talks panellists

George Monbiot, Journalist and Activist
Mark Lynas, Climate Writer and Activist

Groups & Organisations

BP or not BP?
Cambridge Friends of the Earth
Cambridge People’s Assembly Against Austerity
Cambridge SU Ethical Affairs Campaign
Cambridge Zero Carbon Society
Clare Divestment Campaign
Culture Unstained
Divest East Sussex
Eco Action Families
Eco Action Families Brighton & Hove
Eco-Ed Eastbourne
Feral X
Flamingo Affinity Group - Extinction Rebellion
Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard
Frack Free Sussex
Jesus College Climate Justice Society
Money Rebellion
Oxford Climate Justice Campaign
Pembroke Climate Justice Campaign
People & Planet
Save York Gardens
Scientists for Extinction Rebellion
Trinity Alumni for Divestment
Trinity Responsible Investment Society
XR Cambridge
XR Cambridge Universities
XR Cheltenham
XR Ely
XR King’s Lynn & West Norfolk
XR Newcastle Universities
XR Youth Cambridge
XR Youth UK

Individuals

Adam Leonard, Cambridge resident
Dr Alaric Hall, University of Leeds academic staff and Cambridge ASNC alumnus
Alex Haydn-Williams, Jesus College, Undergraduate
Alex Sidney, Norwich Resident
Alice Courvoisier, Cambridge University & Darwin College alum
Alice Hehir, Cambridge Resident, University Alumnus
Alicia Cash, Cambridge student
Amelia Halls, Former Cambridge University Employee
Amelie Plaistow, Cambridge Resident
Amy Bowles, University Alum
Andrew Zolnai, Cambridge Resident
Andrew Zurcher, Fellow, Queens’ College, Cambridge
Anne White, Registered Nurse & Cambridge Resident
Anthony Fort, University alum
Anthony Oliver, Former Development Director, New Hall,/climate concerned
Ben Comeau, Alumnus and former employee of the Music Faculty
Ben Gibson, University Undergraduate
Ben James, Cambridge Student
Bill McKibben, Founder, 350.org
Bruno Truben, Cambridge Student
Caroline Amory, Cambridge resident
Cathy Eastburn, Trinity College Alumna
Charlie Abbott, Cambridge Student
Chris Court-Dobson, Former Cambridge Resident
Chris Ford, Cambridge resident
Christina Hespe, Sheffield resident, University of Durham alumna
Christopher Burlinson, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Clara Paillard, PCS Union Culture Group President
Clément Mouhot, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Connor Newson
Corinna Russell, University of Cambridge staff
Dane Rogers, DPhil in statistics, Merton College Oxford, Non-stipendiary lecturer in statistics St Hilda's College Oxford, 2017-2019
Dave Fox, Cambridge resident, Christ’s alumnus
David Carter, Cambridge PhD alumnus, employee at Cambridge research lab
David Crookall, Retired university professor
David G Ashton, University alumnus
David Hillman, Cambridge University Academic Staff
David Inward, Cambridge visitor and shopper
David McKenney, Cambridge Resident
Deborah Thom, Cambridge resident and alum
Derek Langley, Cambridge Resident
Dharmacharini Suryamani Layton, Cambridge resident
Diner Ismail, Cambridge Resident
Donald Bell, Cambridge resident
Drasko Kascelan, Cambridge Alum
Dunstan Roberts, Bye-fellow, Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Elena, Cambridge Resident
Elena Doran, Cambridge University Student
Elena Moses, Cambridge Resident
Eliza Haughton-Shaw, Cambridge University Student
Elo Wilkinson-Rowe, University Undergraduate
Emily Ashton, Cambridge University Alumna
Emily Beatty, Current Student
Emily Cockayne, University Alumna
Emily Pieters, Cambridge Resident
Emily Winslow Stark, Cambridge University
Eoghan Butler, Cambridge Undergraduate
Erik Sandström, PhD Student ETH Zürich
Eva Novotny, Cambridge resident, retired from University of Cambridge
Finlay Cox, Resident of Cambridge
Fiona Musto-King, Cambridge resident
Flora Palfrey, Cambridge Resident and Student
Flora Sheldon, Cambridge University alumna and Cambridge resident
Francesca Raphaely Ingold, Cambridge alumna and resident, parent
Dr. Franziska Elmer, Marine Biologist not affiliated with Cambridge
Gabriel Carlyle, Fossil Free Hastings
Geoff Shellswell, Cambridge alumnus
Gina Plant Cabrita, Cambridge University Alum
Grace Blackshaw, Cambridge University Student
Councillor Grace Hadley, Cambridge University alum, Councillor for Cambridge City Council,, employee of the University of Cambridge
Hannah Charlotte Copley, Cambridge Postgraduate Student and Staff Member
Helen Boddy, University Alum
Helen Mulligan, Cambridge resident and University alum
Hero Chalmers, Fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Hilary Cox Condron, Mother, artist, Cambridge resident.
Hilary Price, Cambridge Resident
Hillary Taylor, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Dr Hooda Abdullah, Cambridge Resident
Dr Ian Patterson, Fellow of a Cambridge College
Issias Yohanes, Ecological designer, Architect, Anthropologist
Issy Kaufman, Cambridge Resident
Jacky Sutton-Adam, Director The Cambridge Cheese Company
Jake Randall, Concerned Citizen
James Miller, Cambridge University student
Jamie Goodland, Cambridgeshire Resident, Trinity Alumnus
Jane Carpenter, Cambridge Resident
Jane Goodland, Cambridgeshire Resident, Trinity Alumna, Corpus Christi
Postgraduate, Teacher of Maths
Janet Nanor, Cambridge resident
Jason Scott-Warren, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Jed Quinn, Cambridge student
Jennifer McCarthy, Ipswich Resident, Volunteering in conservation and food waste reduction roles
Jenny Langley, Grandmother, Cambridge Resident and University Alumna
Jeremy Caddick, Dean, Emmanuel College & Member of Cambridge Green Party
Jeremy Peters, Cambridge Resident
Jess Agar, Cambridge Resident
Jess Hoskins, Cambridge University Undergraduate
Jo Hindley, Former Cambridge Resident
Joanna Bellis, Cambridge academic and alum
Joe McGee, Cambridge resident
Joe Smallman, Cambridge student
John Duncan, Concerned Citizen
Jonathan Milliken, Forest Gardener, vegan permaculturist
Jonny Venvell, Cambridge University Alumnus
Joshua Harris, University alum
Dr Julia Spindel, Postdoctoral Researcher, University Alum
Dr Julie Milton, University alumna
Julie Wakefield, University alum
Julie Wyard, Cambridge resident
Juliet West, University alum
Karen Wilson, Concerned Citizen
Karol Florek, Cambridge Resident
Karris McGonigle, Undergraduate, Jesus College
Kate Brockie, Postgraduate Student, University of Cambridge
Katherine Halsall, Queens’ JCR member
Kay Goodridge, Cambridge Resident
Kefeshe Bernard, Jesus College Student
Kezhe Temir, Cambridge University Student
Kim Ashton, Bye-fellow, Fitzwilliam College
Kit Westlake, Cambridge resident, Cambridge Greenpeace social media lead
Laura McMahon, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Dr Lesley Holly, Cambridge resident
Lesley Marshall, Ex Cambridge resident
Linda Richardson, Cambridgeshire Resident
Lou Lancaster, Cambridge resident
Louise Gilchrist, University alumnx
Lucy Coomes, Cambridge Student
Lynda Burchell, Psychologist
Madeleine Anderson, Student
Mahoney Goodman, Cambridge Resident
Professor Manucha Lisboa, University of Cambridge academic
Marcel Llavero Pasquina, University of Cambridge Alumnus, Girton (2021)
Marcus Lugg, Cambridge Resident
Dr Martin Thom, Cambridge resident and University alumnus
Mary Enna de Soissons, Cambridge resident, technical author
Mary Laven, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Maryam Safe, Art curator, Anthropologist, Climate activist
Matilda Sidel, Cambridge Student
Maximilian Bloomfield, Cambridge University Postgraduate
Michael Hrebeniak, Fellow of Wolfson College
Michael Lomotey FRSA
Mike Oliver, University alum
Nathaniel Cooke, Cambridge University Student
Nicola Hallows, Cambridgeshire Resident
Nicholas Skelton, Resident
Nicki Myers, Cambridge Resident
Nicola Elliott, University alum & Cambridge resident
Nina Ashton, Cambridge University alumna
Nuala King, Cambridge resident
Patricia Boulhosa, Honorary Research Associate
Patricia O’Brien, Former Cambridge University employee
Peach Rose, Cambridge University Alum
Penelope Oliver
Dr Philip Knox, University Lecturer, Faculty of English
Penelope Oliver, Concerned Citizen
Peter Griffin, PhD, Cantab (Darwin) and Cambridge resident
Philippa (Padmacandra) Meek, ARU alum
Polly Richards, Cambridge Alum
Portia Rosenberg, Cambridge resident
Priyamvada Gopal, Cambridge University academic staff
Priyanka, Cambridge Student
Rachel Aucott, University of Cambridge employee
Rachel Brown, University Alum
Rad Sharma, Cambridge resident + University affiliate staff
Rae Morris, Cambridge undergraduate, member of the Queens’ JCR
Dr Raluca Diaconu, Cambridge University alumna and Cambridge resident
Rasha Rezk, Cambridge UCU VP
Rebecca Fleming, University Employee and Cambridge Resident
Rick Cullen, Uni alum
Robert Shippey, Concerned Citizen
Dr Robin Message, Cambridge alum
Rod Hart, Cambridgeshire resident
Dr Rowan Williams, Honorary Fellow, Magdalene College
Sally Boss, Teaching Fellow
Sarah Douglas, Cambridgeshire Resident
Sarai Bisseling, Cambridge resident
Scott Archer-Nicholls, University of Cambridge academic staff
Severn Whittingham, Cambridge resident
Dr Shamira Meghani, Cambridge University academic staff
Shaun Vickers, Cambridge student
Sol Setra, Cambridge Resident
Sophie Draper, Jesus alumna and 8 years Cambridge resident
Stephanie Adetola Onamade, Former Science Museum exhibitor
Stephanie Mawson, JRF, University of Cambridge
Subha Mukherji, University of Cambridge Academic Staff
Susan Daruvala, Cambridge University Academic Staff
Tara Khanna, Cambridge University Student
Ted Tregear, Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Tim Lancaster, Cambridgeshire resident
Toby Newey, Cambridge Resident
Tolmeia Gregory, Artist and Activist
Tom Dorrington, Cambridge Resident & University Alum
Tony Eva, Founder, Cambridge Climate Lecture Series
Tony Warne, Cambridge resident
Tungsten Tang, Cambridge University student
Valeria Scagliotti, Researcher at King’s College London, Extinction Rebellion Scientist
Valerie Richards, Cambridge Alumna & Cambridge Resident
Verner Viisainen, PhD Student, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
Victoria Goodman, Cambridge Theological Federation student
William Hale, Cambridge University Employee
Xuefei Wu, Cambridge Student
Zac Lumley, Undergraduate biologist
Zak Coleman, Cambridge Undergraduate
Zannah Lindley, Cambridge Student
Zareen Islam, Cambridge Resident
Zoe Cohen, Director, Shine Coaching and Consultancy
Zoë Svendsen, Cambridge University Academic Staff

An open letter to Dr Emily Shuckburgh, Director of Cambridge Zero

Friday, March 12, 2021

Withdrawn Climate Talks panellists

Groups & Organisations

Individuals

References