In recent months, the United Kingdom has experienced an extraordinary surge in civil disobedience, with a notable emphasis on disrupting major sporting events. Climate activists, primarily associated with groups like Just Stop Oil (JSO), have taken center stage in this unprecedented wave of protests, aiming to draw attention to the urgent need for climate action.
As the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, sounded the alarm that “climate breakdown has begun,” the World Meteorological Organization confirmed that the Northern Hemisphere had just endured its hottest summer on record. JSO, a non-violent environmental activist group founded in 2022, has chosen civil disobedience as its primary means of demanding change. Their message is clear: the UK government must halt all new oil, gas, and coal projects immediately.
JSO initially gained public attention when its members disrupted several Premier League football matches, including the memorable incident where a protester attached themselves to the goalposts using zip ties during Everton’s victory over Newcastle in March of the previous year.
In recent months, JSO activists have continued their disruptive campaigns, targeting iconic sporting venues such as Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, and the British Grand Prix in Northamptonshire. Their actions reached a pinnacle during the summer when they disrupted the second Ashes Test and The Open Championship. In a particularly audacious move, one protester showered Court 18 at Wimbledon with orange-colored confetti and jigsaw pieces, sparking widespread outrage.
James Skeet, a spokesperson for JSO, explained their strategy of deliberately targeting beloved sporting events: “Every significant social movement in history has relied on disruptive tactics to achieve meaningful change.” Skeet drew parallels with past movements, such as the civil rights struggle in the United States and fights for LGBTQ+ and disabled rights. He emphasized, “Our goal is to thrust the climate crisis into the forefront of public consciousness and the media agenda. Without capturing millions of eyeballs, we won’t bring about significant societal change.”
However, the effectiveness of direct action remains a subject of debate. Despite the UK government’s decision in July to grant numerous new North Sea oil and gas licenses in the name of energy independence and economic growth, an August YouGov survey found that 82 percent of respondents, regardless of political affiliation, considered climate change and environmental issues crucial. Nonetheless, 68 percent of those surveyed disapproved of JSO and their disruptive tactics.
This disapproval echoes the sentiment expressed in a February YouGov poll, where 78 percent of respondents believed that direct action hinders rather than helps a cause. James Ozden, the director of the protest think tank Social Change Lab, highlighted a disparity between public and academic opinion. He cited an expert survey of 120 academics focused on social movements and protests, in which 69 percent believed that disruptive protests could be effective for issues like climate change.
Moreover, experts argue that disruptive climate protests can be impactful, especially when supported by high-profile figures. British sports presenter and former footballer Gary Lineker voiced his admiration for JSO activists in an interview with Channel 4. Even US Open winner Coco Gauff expressed sympathy for climate protesters who disrupted her match, emphasizing her belief in climate change.
Viktoria Spaiser, an associate professor in sustainability research at the University of Leeds, noted the importance of influential allies outside the movement. Such allies can amplify the movement’s reach and influence, reinforcing its message and lending legitimacy to its demands and actions.
However, JSO’s tactics have faced vehement criticism from senior politicians, including UK’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who labeled the protests as selfish disruptions. Amendments to the Public Order Act have now criminalized certain protest tactics in the UK, such as “locking on,” where protesters attach themselves to people, objects, or buildings.
The cost of policing JSO protests has also raised concerns, with the Metropolitan Police revealing expenses exceeding £7.7 million over a 13-week period. With the UK’s next general elections approaching, climate change remains a prominent issue, amplified by recent heatwaves and criticism of the government’s actions.
Despite the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a High Court ruling in July 2022 found that the government’s net-zero strategy breached the Climate Change Act. This erosion of climate leadership was further underscored by the departure of Lord Deben, the chair of the UK’s Climate Change Committee, who criticized the government for its inadequate response to the energy crisis and COP26 hosting success.
Lord Deben emphasized that while he did not condone direct action, politicians should recognize the underlying frustration that drives people to such extremes. He cautioned against focusing solely on condemning the tactics without understanding their motivations.
Looking ahead, the environmental movement in the UK is witnessing a divergence in tactics. Some groups are shifting toward less disruptive and more inclusive approaches, seeking to unite diverse movements for a common cause. Extinction Rebellion (XR), for instance, paused its high-profile demonstrations and collaborated with the London Marathon event, highlighting the need to coexist and build alliances.
Yaz Ashmawi, a former physicist and organizer for XR, stressed the importance of bringing people together in large numbers. While non-violent direct action remains a key tool, XR aims to decentralize its efforts and strengthen local community groups to engage in meaningful dialogue about local climate issues.
The recent announcement by JSO that they would not rule out disrupting the London Marathon suggests a division in tactics within the environmental movement. While disruptive actions may not win immediate popularity, history has shown that a determined minority can ultimately bring about societal change. The challenge now lies in finding a balance between disruptive tactics and inclusive strategies to drive the urgent action needed to combat climate change.
