Eco Terrorism

I am not a climate change denier. The evidence is out there. It is happening.

I am opposed to Extinction Rebellion actions as seen on the streets of London recently however. Their actions disrupt daily life and in my opinion are not far removed from plain acts of terrorism. They may be non violent in themselves but they are intended to disrupt daily life for the purpose of political gain. Just like terrorism.

I was surprised to hear a protester compare themselves to suffragettes from the early 20th century. My wife pointed out that that it is what a protester should do, make a nuisance of themselves.  I think their righteousness or lack of perhaps depends on where you stand on the climate change argument.

For my money they are arrogant and unnecessary. 

Arrogant because they believe their view is worth being forcefully imposed on others. Arrogant because not content with protesting they feel the need to really make someone else's life difficult. 

They are unnecessary because the argument has already been won. If they are comparing themselves to the suffragettes my simile would be they are protesting to be given the vote the day after the general election they all voted in. Climate change is happening and we are largely responsible for it. We must change our approach. We know this already

They risk doing more harm than good for their cause. To make the change they want they must engage the very people they are inconveniencing. What better way to talk people round to your way of thinking than to piss them off first with pointless disruption?


But what really concerns me right now is that I almost sound like Peter Hitchens - from the Daily Mail!