By: Nessa Purdy

Opinion Editor

With the ever looming presence that has become the climate crisis, radical environmental activism has become increasingly prevalent. In recent years, nonviolent climate activists have taken to defacing works of art. Just recently, two French activists threw soup at the glass-protected Mona Lisa, sporting t-shirts with the slogan “food counterattack.” However, this is not an isolated incident: Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Monet’s Grainstacks, and Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring are just a few of the paintings climate activists have targeted recently. 

I would like to preface that I am in no way against nonviolent climate protests, I am simply questioning whether or not this is the most effective method of promoting change. After each of these incidents, the headlines were not about curbing global warming or implementing sustainable environmental legislation, but rather the possible damage to these iconic pieces of work. The object of these protests is clear: to gain attention for the movement, but the absurdity and the unfocused nature of these methods are not only ineffective, but harms the movement as a whole.

This form of protest has been gaining popularity, specifically in Europe, with activists arguing that more people should be worrying about the climate crisis instead of obsessing over material objects. One protester who threw soup at Van Gogh’s famed Sunflowers shouted, “Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet?” The motivation behind these movements is entirely valid and the climate crisis must be addressed; however, these protests have directed attention toward the paintings, the activists, rather than addressing the issue at hand: climate change.

 Furthermore, this method of activism is entirely unfocused and futile, as it fails to address the source of the problem, large corporations and governments, not innocent museum goers. This also only results in more criticism of the movement from those opposing the movement. James Cleverly, the British Foreign Secretary even stated, “stop giving these attention seeking adult-toddlers the coverage they clearly crave.”  

In order to achieve more attainable and long-term change, activism efforts must focus on directing attention to the root causes of the climate crisis instead of fleeting attention-grabbing moments of online popularity. While the need for awareness is incredibly important, methods that do not distract from the movement must be implemented by those who advocate for recognition and progress regarding climate change.

(Source: BBC, Time)