Justifying Futile Climate Resistance

Citation

Lai T & Flanigan ET (2026) Justifying Futile Climate Resistance. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpr.70092

Abstract
Many have attempted to justify certain acts of disruptive climate activism by appealing to, at least in part, their effectiveness. Accordingly, they help raise awareness, assure others that many will participate in the collective action, pressure politicians, call for change in governmental policies, and/or directly frustrate environmentally damaging industries. But what if the climate disaster is inevitable? What if climate protests and resistance are futile? Should this be the case, we cannot appeal to the instrumental value realized to justify the costs (or even harm) imposed by activists, as those would be gratuitous costs (or harm). Nevertheless, we believe that futile climate activism can be justified as fitting protest, that is, as a form of fitting expression against serious disregard for the lives of others. Violent climate resistance can satisfy the conditions of correct directedness, type appropriateness, proportionality, and adequacy, and is thus called for in situations of futility. The conditions of fitting protest may have further implications for protests that aim to bring about political or social change.

Keywords
climate change; ecotage; futile resistance; property damage; protests

Journal
Philosophy and Phenomenological Research

• Published Version