Another Take: A radical antidote for climate despair
Nov 23, 2024
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In this discussion, Andreas Malm, an influential author and professor at Lund University, challenges conventional climate activism. He argues that fossil fuels are a ticking time bomb and advocates for civil disobedience, including radical tactics like property damage. Malm critiques the ineffectiveness of climate conferences and highlights the empowerment of grassroots movements tackling fossil fuel projects. He emphasizes that new strategies are essential for addressing the climate crisis and questions the morality of labeling activist tactics as terrorism.
Activists are increasingly considering radical tactics, such as property damage, to disrupt fossil fuel infrastructure and reclaim agency in the climate crisis.
The ongoing presence of oil lobbyists at climate conferences highlights the conflict of interest hindering genuine climate action and meaningful solutions.
Deep dives
Discontent with Climate Conference Outcomes
Frustration over the outcomes of COP29 is palpable, reflecting a deep sense of disappointment among climate activists and advocates. Many argue that the conference has failed to offer meaningful solutions, with emissions continuing to rise despite previous pledges from nearly 200 countries to improve their targets. Critics emphasize that the presence of numerous oil and gas lobbyists during the event highlights the ongoing conflict of interest that undermines genuine climate action. The pervasive sentiment is that political maneuvers have overshadowed effective climate initiatives, forcing activists to increasingly consider more radical measures.
The Rising Call for Civil Disobedience
As despair grows over insufficient action against climate change, many activists have shifted towards civil disobedience, viewing it as a necessary step to draw attention to the crisis. The conversation focuses on the tactics employed by movements like Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, which have sparked debate on the effectiveness of peaceful protest versus more aggressive methods. Andreas Malm argues for a reevaluation of these tactics, proposing that targeting destructive mechanisms rather than individuals might be a more impactful strategy. This shift illustrates how urgency and frustration are prompting activists to consider direct actions to disrupt harmful infrastructure.
Historical Context and Future Actions
The historical context of climate resistance highlights significant actions taken by groups like Ende Gelände, emphasizing their impact on reducing fossil fuel production. Examples, such as the 2016 protest at a lignite coal power station, demonstrate how collective actions can temporarily halt operations and challenge the perception of fossil fuel infrastructure as an immutable force. Andreas Malm stresses that while sabotage might seem extreme, it offers a way to reclaim agency in the face of an overwhelming climate crisis. He argues that effective climate activism must adopt a multifaceted approach that combines various strategies, including nonviolent protests, legal measures, and, when necessary, targeted destruction of harmful facilities.
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on November 14, 2022. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
Fossil fuels are a time bomb, and humans are entitled to stop them. That’s the argument of “How to Blow Up a Pipeline,” a book by Andreas Malm calling for activist groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion to adopt radical tactics against the fossil fuel industry, including property damage. As COP27 enters its second week, greenwashing is rife, protest is limited, and fossil fuel emissions are still rising. After over a quarter-century of UN-sponsored talking, Malm argues it’s time for people to take action into their own hands.
In this episode:
Andreas Malm, author of “How to Blow Up a Pipeline” and professor at Lund University
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Alexandra Locke, Negin Owliaei, Chloe K. Li, Ruby Zaman, and our host Halla Mohieddeen, in for Malika Bilal.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.