Climate activists, your heart is in the right place but your head is not

Last week, two members of the group Just Stop Oil, lobbed a can of tomato soup at the celebrated Sunflowers painting by Vincent Van Gogh. In an attempt to showcase how dire the climate crisis has become, the pair drew a link between the idiocy of people's desire to preserve a piece of artwork while refusing to preserve the planet we all call home.

Listen, I get it. I am the first person to stand up for climate action and I agree with these groups that call out the international communities' somewhat lackluster responses to policies that will combat climate change. In fact, I believe the governments of the world are failing people, the planet and future generations of a prosperous and habitable planet. I must make this very clear that I feel that those in a position to make change are obligated and that the actions they have taken thus far are inadequate, insufficient and need to be more aggressive.

That being said, I find it hard to align myself with climate activist groups like Just stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion. While making a fuss and being loud is one way to get people to stop and listen, I fear that these sorts of shock value acts are aimed at the wrong part of the population.

About 3 years ago, Extinction Rebellion caused massive delays to London rush-hour traffic, blocking trains and causing quite an uproar. The train lines selected, were targeted specifically, as they lead to London's financial district located in Canary Wharf. However, while they did make a name for themselves, just as with the climate crisis, the general population are the ones who suffer the fallout.

For too long the burden of "doing our part for the planet" has been directed at the general population. Bring your own bag! Take public transport! Compost! Reduce waste! Go vegan! Buy sustainable! Install solar panels! Buy an electric vehicle! The list of demands is never ending.

Those of us who feel helpless, go through the motions, shop sustainably, take public transportation and initiate discussions about climate change with our friends, family and colleagues. Meanwhile billionaires city hop in private jets, encourage consumption on their social medias, water their enormous lawns, support politicians that back anti-environmental policies and make money off underpaid employees in far off lands.

And in the same way the responsibility has been placed on us mere mortals, these recent acts of climate activism target the wrong people. Blocking the trains in London kept those who were using public transport from their jobs. It took time from their day and likely did more to give the organisation a bad name, than it did to garner supporters.

The recent incident with Van Gogh's Sunflowers again effected those who may have never had the opportunity to experience art, the likes of which are available to be viewed, for free, by everyone in the National Gallery.

And while I in no way condone the destruction of property (private or public) I do feel that the climate activist groups would be much more successful if their acts of rebellion effected the upper echelons of society. Why are you destroying artwork that effectively belongs to the public instead of targeting auction houses selling private art collections? Why are you impeding people from traveling to work on public transportation instead of targeting private jets and yachts?

The sad fact is that we live in a world where most problems are not acknowledged until someone with a certain degree of wealth is affected. Target them. Harass them. Make as much noise as you have to, to get the attention of those in positions to make change through their own action, through their influence and of course with their money. Until the climate crisis becomes uncomfy for those living extra-cushy lives, I doubt things will change for the better.

In fact, the pendulum seems to have swung a bit, as Just Stop Oil on Sunday blocked London's Park Lane, known for swanky hotels, prestigious residences and luxury car show rooms. Activists also took the opportunity to spray the front of Aston Martin's showroom in bright orange paint…that's more like it.

In the meantime, the rest of us will keep doing our part to encourage climate action. We'll keep having conversations, taking the bus and scolding friends that dare buy single-use items. We want to get behind you, support your cause and advocate for real change, but by actively impacting the lives of those who have no real influence, you're losing us and quite-frankly giving all of us climate advocates a bad name.