“Campaigning for the climate: Extinction Rebellion’s A12 Blockade and its Effectiveness”

This Saturday, the seventh blockade of the A12 will take place by Extinction Rebellion. The protest movement is growing rapidly and more and more celebrities are joining the demonstrations in which activists glue themselves to the asphalt with the aim of stopping subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. But does this tenacious (and sometimes radical) form of campaigning actually work? Yes, according to scientific research.

More and more worries

Global polls show that more and more people are seriously concerned about the consequences of climate change. As it turns out figures from Statistics Netherlands (2021) that three-quarters of the Dutch are concerned. Usually it is about the future or – as with brand new climate activist Carice van Houten – about the future world in which our children live.

Growing number of participants

But, says campaigner Lisa in her book Apocalypsofie, the apocalypse is not something that happens sometime in the future, when the ice caps melt and the sea levels rise. “The catastrophe is what is already happening,” we read in an article about Extinction Rebellion (XR) in Free Netherlands. “We just keep hurtling down an unsustainable path paved with growth and fossils. Sand has to be put in the machine.” And apparently a growing crowd thinks this, because the blockades of the A12 keep growing. Also this Saturday a doubling expected, XR reports on their site.

Increasing media attention

In that sense, the campaigning of groups such as XR does indeed have an effect. We not only see a growing number of participants, but also a growing interest mainstream media. Partly triggered by the preventive detentions of XR activists in the run-up to the action in January. But also because of the large number of arrests of peaceful climate demonstrators during the blockades of the A12 itself. That generates attention, as it turns out time and time again. If the actions are regularly discussed in the media, there is a good chance that this will also happen in political The Hague.

Make your voice heard

The actions put the subject of climate change or – more specifically – subsidies to the fossil industry from the government, time and time again on the map. Partly thanks to media attention, this leads to awareness, as a result of which more and more people join the protests. Taking action offers the perspective of acting, of doing something, of making your voice heard. Or, as Carice van Houten puts it in the NRC said: “I don’t want my son to say later, why didn’t you do anything while you still could?”

This was not universally appreciated, however. A shitload of criticism came over her because she gave a speech in her Gucci sneakers and, moreover, had joined the climate movement ‘very late’. In other words, didn’t she do it mainly to be in the spotlight herself? But do you have to live 100% climate neutral yourself to be able to express your concerns about the climate and participate in protest actions?

Research into campaigning for the climate

Whatever you do, the reactions to climate protests can go in any direction. Blocking the road, gluing yourself to a talk show table or throwing tomato soup at a work of art can meet with resistance. On the one hand, these kinds of actions can generate appreciation and admiration and encourage change. For example, universities and other renowned institutes are increasingly deciding to no longer link up with the fossil fuel industry. Although that trend can probably not be entirely attributed to climate activists.

Those who want to bring about change must carefully balance on a thin line, concludes the BBC after comparing a number of scientific studies on the effect of campaigning. The effect of climate protests on public opinion shows a mixed picture. But – and this is interesting – participation in the protest actions does lead the participants themselves to show even more environmentally friendly behavior, according to research. And that naturally also contributes to a more positive climate impact.

Will you be at the blockade of the A12 in The Hague on Saturday? Let us know and, above all, tell us why you are or are not in favor of this form of campaigning.