Skip to main content
Gifts from The Morning Star
Failure to act on climate and biodiversity crisis justifies direct action
What the climate protesters want is action now, not at some distant point when it is too late – and they’re right to keep up the pressure, says PAUL DONOVAN
Demonstrators sit on the A4 outside the Natural History Museumduring a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London, in August 2021

THE activities of direct action environmentalists Extinction Rebellion have caused something of a stir across the land. 

Efforts to block roads and obstruct the flow of traffic has raised temperatures. 

Recently, another group, Insulate Britain, took action to stop traffic flows on some major motorways. Their aim is to get more insulation of buildings to halt carbon emissions — not that revolutionary, many may think. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
nature books
Books / 9 September 2025
9 September 2025

PAUL DONOVAN recommends three new books that explore the human relationship with nature

shawshank
Theatre review / 8 September 2025
8 September 2025

PAUL DONOVAN recommends an excellent stage adaptation of Stephen King’s classic portrayal of the the injustice of the US prison system

Cartoon: JAB
Features / 9 August 2025
9 August 2025

Labour councillor PAUL DONOVAN wonders why the right-wing party gets so much more media attention than it seems to merit

DoT
Theatre review / 28 July 2025
28 July 2025

PAUL DONOVAN relishes the spectacle of a 1950s detective in pursuit of a 500-year-old murder mystery

Similar stories
Activists participate in a demonstration for phasing out fos
Features / 20 November 2024
20 November 2024
TOM HARDY traces how these climate conferences have been captured by fossil fuel interests while CO₂ levels have continued to rise since 1995 — but XR’s citizen assemblies and direct action have offered an alternative
ACTION: A Fossil Free London activist disrupts the 2023 Shel
Features / 9 November 2024
9 November 2024
As a new report reveals how dire the climate situation is now, other recent research demonstrates how activism – namely Extinction Rebellion and the school strikes – has already forced governments into action, writes IAN SINCLAIR
Climate campaigners from Extinction Rebellion Scotland prote
Features / 6 October 2024
6 October 2024
Insurers and regulators now openly ignore the ecological crisis as they continue to support contributors to climate breakdown, and British law is on their side — that’s why XR will be targeting them again, writes TOM HARDY