Image at right: Climate action protesters are facing not only hostile reactions to their cause, but hostility to the act of protest itself.
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Background information
Radical climate activismDuring 2022 and 2023 images of climate activists throwing canned tomato soup or potato puree on famous paintings displayed in national galleries have appeared in media coverage around the world. These incidents were followed by reports showing activists using superglue to attach themselves to busy roads. More recently, major international sporting competitions have been temporarily disrupted by the actions of climate protesters. This current intensification of media reports of direct-action climate protests comes after decades of previous action that was far less extensively reported.
The adjective 'radical' refers to something which is fundamental or far-reaching. As applied to a climate activist, this is someone who seeks a fundamental or far-reaching re-organisation of the way in which societies or economies are organised so that further harmful changes to the world's climate can be slowed.
As applied to a climate activist, 'radical' can also refer to the methods the activist uses to alert governments and the public to the need for fundamental social and economic reorganisation. Radical protest is also sometimes described as 'direct action'. This is using physical action to either stop an opposed activity or draw attention to the activist's opposition to that activity.
Direct action is often disruptive. It can involve people using their bodies, barricades, or a contaminating substance to cause or prevent something happening. It can also involve using collective physical pressure on a target. Tactics such as blockades, strikes, pickets, occupations, or property damage are examples of direct action.
Direct action and violence
Maria DiCenzo, a professor of feminist media at Wilfrid Laurier University, has noted that most of today's climate activists insist on nonviolence, though they are coming into increasing conflict with state authorities.
Groups such as Extinction Rebellion have declared their commitment to 'non-violent civil disobedience ... through creative, artful, sustained, non-violent protests all over the world.'
Just Stop Oil has similarly stated its commitment to 'non-violent civil resistance'. None of the paintings that have recently been daubed with paint and other substances by Just Stop Oil protesters and their imitators seem to have been damaged; however, conservators are examining the Rokeby Venus since its protective glass was smashed with hammers by two Just Stop Oil activists. In June 2023, the French government moved to disband the environmental protest group Les Soulevements de la Terre (SLT) following an altercation with the police which resulted in both police and protesters sustaining injuries.
Some of the direct-action climate activist groups
Extinction Rebellion - begun in the United Kingdom in 2018; now has local chapters worldwide, including in Australia. It has blockaded major streets in London, including blocking bridges across the Thames. At the end of 2022, it declared that it would adopt more moderate tactics and attempt to build a larger support base.
Just Stop Oil - founded in the United Kingdom in February 2022, began protesting at English oil terminals in April 2022 and then moved to higher-profile locations.
Insulate Britain - founded by six former members of Extinction Rebellion in July 2021. The group began blocking roadways in September 2021, demanding the government insulate all public housing in Britain by 2025.
Climate Defiance - founded in early 2023 in the United States by climate activists, shortly after the Biden administration approved new oil drilling projects. Their first action was to blockade the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Earth First - founded in the southwestern United States in 1980 and began taking direct protest action in 1988. The group began by focusing on wilderness protection.
Earth Liberation Front (ELF) - a 1992 offshoot of Earth First which also focuses on direct action to protect wilderness.
Last Generation - formed in Germany in 2021, and also active in Italy and France, the group has staged direct non-violent actions including road blockades and using paint to vandalise yachts, famous paintings, buildings, restaurants, and private jets.
Earth Uprisings (Les Soulevements de la Terre - SLT) - an umbrella group of environmental activist organisations in France. In June 2023, the French government outlawed the body, accusing it of promoting violence.
Blockade Australia - formed in November 2021, this direct-action climate protest group has blocked ports and roads in Newcastle and Sydney to protest Australia's fossil fuel industry.
Fireproof Australia - founded in 2022, in response to the Australian government's inadequate preparation for the 2019-20 bushfires in which 18,000 people were displaced. The group has taken direct action, including obstructing traffic on the Sydney Harbour bridge.
The direct-action methods of protest adopted by the climate activists have led to an active debate in society ranging from outright disapproval of these acts to sympathy for the cause but critique of the modes of protest.
Climate activists, on the other hand, have justified their radical modes of protest pointing towards the consequences of inaction for future generations and their disappointment at governments' piecemeal responses to the climate emergency.