Science Weekly Why did Just Stop Oil just stop?
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Apr 29, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Damien Gayle, an environment correspondent at The Guardian, reflects on the rise and fall of Just Stop Oil. He delves into the group’s iconic protests, from motorway blockades to soup attacks on art. Damien reveals how shifting policies and stringent laws contributed to their disbanding. He also speculates on the future of climate activism in a landscape altered by legal challenges and evolving protest tactics. Join him as he unpacks the implications of their actions on public and governmental responses to climate issues.
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Damien Gayle's Activist Experience
- Damien Gayle took action with Just Stop Oil around 20 to 25 times and was arrested four times.
- These repeated actions gave him firsthand insight into the activist experience.
Disruption Drives Awareness
- Just Stop Oil's disruptive protests annoyed the public but were necessary to keep fossil fuel phase-out on the agenda.
- They recognized attention often requires annoyance to influence public and political discourse.
Evolution from XR to Just Stop Oil
- Just Stop Oil evolved from Extinction Rebellion's split between moderate and radical protest approaches.
- They focused on a singular demand: ending new North Sea oil licenses for clearer impact.