While high-profile, disruptive actions like blocking roads or gluing oneself to structures—often associated with groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion—gain significant media attention, these confrontational tactics are not the only or required way to engage in climate activism. The climate movement relies on a diverse range of strategies and roles, from radical direct action to quiet, behind-the-scenes community work. Research into activist communities shows that success often results from the “radical flank effect,” where disruptive groups create space and urgency, allowing more moderate actors to successfully implement change through lobbying, local governance, and community organizing. A concern for the planet’s future is the only prerequisite, and there is a vital, non-confrontational role for everyone to play.
The Radical Flank Effect: Creating Space for Change
Disruptive activism, characterized by actions that cause inconvenience or risk arrest, is a deliberate strategy used by radical groups to force media coverage and bring public attention to the climate crisis. This disruption often elicits strong, negative public reactions and vilification from certain politicians and journalists, but it serves a crucial strategic function known as the radical flank effect.
The radical flank effect suggests that the presence of radical factions within a social movement can actually benefit more moderate groups. The radical activists push the boundaries of public discourse, making the moderate demands (such as lobbying local government, working on community gardens, or advocating for corporate sustainability) seem reasonable and palatable by comparison. By occupying the “front line,” they create a political space behind them where others can operate effectively. This division of labor is recognized by many activists, who acknowledge that change requires “people fighting in different ways on so many different fronts.”
The Vital Roles Beyond the Frontline
The popular image of an activist—shouting into a megaphone or holding a banner—is incomplete. Successful climate action requires numerous roles that operate outside the realm of direct confrontation. Research on activists across different groups, from global organizations to local wildlife trusts and community garden projects, confirms that everyone driven by concern for the planet has a necessary part to play.
These behind-the-scenes roles include lobbying local politicians, working within organizations to drive sustainability initiatives, volunteering at local climate hubs, educating family and friends, and dedicating time to nature conservation. These less confrontational actions—often led by retirees, professionals, and community volunteers—are essential for embedding climate solutions into the fabric of society, local politics, and daily life. For instance, local victories, such as the halting of fracking in Lancashire, England, were achieved by a combination of high-profile frontline resistance and the persistent, quiet work of people organizing and advocating locally.
Personal Action and Sustaining the Movement
For many people, the severe pushback against disruptive activism—including harsher protest laws and public antagonism—can be terrifyingly authoritarian and discourage them from speaking out. However, activism is ultimately rooted in personal commitment and values, which can be expressed in countless ways that pose no legal risk or personal danger.
Being a climate activist can mean utilizing one’s professional skills, whether that’s an accountant ensuring a company adheres to green standards, a writer crafting compelling articles, or an educator integrating climate literacy into lessons. It also means actively working to shape the social environment by talking about climate issues with conviction and modeling sustainable behavior. The key is recognizing that action is mandatory in the face of political inaction, but the form that action takes must be sustainable for the individual. If one cannot, or chooses not to, block a road, the question becomes: What can I do effectively where I am right now?
