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Just Stop Oil: Climate Activists or Eco-terrorists?
Examining the controversy and impact of their actions
Kartik Vyas
June 27, 2024
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Inside Just Stop Oil: The Radical Face of Climate Activism
In recent years, groups like Just Stop Oil have greatly shaped the climate activism landscape.
Just Stop Oil’s protests are provocative, and their demands are uncompromising.
Some have even called them “eco-terrorists“.
But they have sparked a global conversation about the urgency of climate change and the need to address it.
Who are these activists, and what drives them?
Just Stop Oil activists vandalising the ancient Stonehenge monument
What is Just Stop Oil?
Just Stop Oil is a UK-based coalition of environmental activists.
Their mission is simple – pressure governments and corporations to stop new oil and gas projects.
But it's the group's tactics that have truly set them apart. Their tactics include blocking roads, disrupting major events, and staging sit-ins.
The group has gained notoriety for their controversial tactics.
Who Funds Them?
There's something strange about Just Stop Oil’s financial backing.
Their main funder is the US-based Climate Emergency Fund (CEF). It was founded by Aileen Getty, granddaughter of oil tycoon J. Paul Getty.
This connection has fueled conspiracy theories about the group being a front for big oil companies to discredit environmental movements.
Other major donors include green energy industrialist Dale Vince. He has since withdrawn support. Hollywood filmmaker Adam McKay is also a donor.
The group insists that most of its funding goes to recruiting, training, and education.
Just Stop Oil’s Controversial Tactics
Just Stop Oil has weaponized disruption and shock value to an unprecedented degree. Their most infamous actions include:
The Van Gogh Soup Attack: In October 2022, activists threw tomato soup on Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" at London's National Gallery. The act sparked global outrage and debate.
Wimbledon Mayhem: Protesters halted play by throwing confetti and puzzle pieces on the court during the prestigious tennis tournament.
Stonehenge Spray: Most recently, the group sprayed orange paint powder onto the ancient stones at Stonehenge.
Magna Carta Incident: Activists targeted the historic document at the British Library. They broke its glass case, but the document itself remained unharmed.
These high-profile stunts have succeeded in gaining the limelight, but at what cost?
“Why does he assume that resisters want to be “effective” in getting small gains from the most genocidal governments in history? The idea that you are speaking to future generations – or even to the cosmos – are orientations that never get considered.“
The Price of Publicity
The legal consequences for Just Stop Oil have been severe.
Between April 2022 and May 2023, authorities made over 2,100 arrests. These led to 138 activists spending time in prison.
The UK government has responded with new legislation. The new Public Order Act 2023 grants police more power to crack down on the group's tactics.
Public Perception of Just Stop Oil and its Impact
The most concerning consequence for Just Stop Oil is how people see its actions.
While a significant portion of the British public supports urgent climate action, many disapprove of the group's disruptive tactics.
A survey by the University of Bristol found that 82% of the British public think climate change is important. But, a shocking 68% of them disapprove of Just Stop Oil's tactics.
“I’ve been told so many fucking times: Go to Parliament Square, go to an oil refinery or whatever. I’ve locked myself to an oil tanker for 36 hours. Nothing. I was just at Parliament Square for three days with 60,000 people, nothing happened. But my best friend throws soup on a fucking Van Gogh and we’re in the news for months.”
The Road Ahead for Just Stop Oil
As Just Stop Oil faces more legal pressure and public backlash, the group stands at a critical point.
It’s unclear if the group’s shock-and-awe tactics contribute to their mission.
At the same time, it is to be seen if public scepticism and legal repercussions force them to change their tactics.
Some argue that Just Stop Oil's "radical flank" approach could moderate climate activism. It would do so by making their message seem reasonable in comparison to their tactics.
Others fear the group's actions are pushing away potential supporters. They are also making opposition to climate action harder.
Our Thoughts
Just Stop Oil’s approach raises critical questions. It's about the balance between urgent climate activism and public disruption.
Their tactics undeniably brought attention to the climate crisis. But, at what cost? Vandalism and damage to public property can never be the answer to the climate issue.
At the end of the day, Just Stop Oil's impact may be less about their demands. And perhaps more about how they've changed the conversation on climate activism.
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