Cromwell, CT, USA - June 23, 2024

A day after a lightning strike sent several fans of the Travelers Championship to the hospital, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion staged a disruptive protest at the event, underlining their warning: "No Golf on a Dead Planet."

The activists interrupted play on Sunday, June 23, at the Travelers Championship just as golfer Scottie Scheffler approached the 18th hole. This action was intended not as a protest against any individual or organization but to draw attention to the global peril posed by climate breakdown. Highlighting that the last 13 months have been the hottest on record, with a surge in extreme weather events worldwide, the activists emphasized the devastating impact of natural disasters on lives, ecosystems, infrastructure, and agriculture.

"Just yesterday, at least two fans were injured due to a lightning strike here at the Travelers Championship, a consequence of increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather conditions," the activists noted.

The slogan "No Golf on a Dead Planet" underscores the activists' belief that climate catastrophe jeopardizes all aspects of life, including beloved pastimes like golf. They argue that golf tournaments are frequently canceled due to adverse weather, emphasizing the sport's dependency on favorable environmental conditions.

Actor Jeremy Strong, in a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, voiced support for Extinction Rebellion's disruptive tactics, linking them to his experiences when the group disrupted his Broadway performance. He acknowledged the necessity of acknowledging the truth of the current climate crisis to achieve meaningful change.

Golfer Rory McIlroy, ranked #2 in the world, has also expressed serious concerns about climate change, urging collective action to address the crisis. Despite gestures from the golf industry to address environmental impacts through reduced water use and more sustainable practices, activists argue these efforts are insufficient in the face of escalating climate challenges.

The protest at the Travelers Championship represents a last resort for Extinction Rebellion, having exhausted traditional avenues like voting, marches, petitions, and lobbying. They cite scientific warnings that time is running out for significant reductions in carbon emissions, emphasizing the need for unconventional protests to highlight the urgency of the climate emergency.

Demanding immediate action, the activists call for Citizens' Assemblies to chart a path forward, arguing that current solutions like electric cars and renewable energy are inadequate. They warn that unless humanity takes drastic measures, global temperatures will exceed critical thresholds, leading to catastrophic consequences far surpassing current hardships.

"We're disrupting this event to make it clear that the government must take the risks posed by the climate crisis seriously, just as insurance companies are adjusting to these new realities," said Shayok Mukhopadhyay, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion.

The disruption at the Travelers Championship signals a broader call for systemic change, challenging societies to prioritize sustainability over profit and consumerism. As climate activists continue to push the boundaries of traditional activism, they believe innovative and provocative actions are necessary to awaken the world to the existential threat of climate change.