Documentary Reflection

April 1, 2025 By: Alex Hankins

The environmental movement includes acts of civil disobedience aimed at confronting ecological degradation and influencing policy changes. A recent example is the Fairy Creek old-growth logging protests on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where activists opposed logging in one of the province’s last remaining unprotected old-growth forests. These protests, which began in 2020 and escalated into 2021, led to numerous arrests and heightened public awareness about the importance of preserving ancient forests. 1

Resources in this unit highlight the role of civil disobedience in environmentalism and its historical significance. For instance, the film “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” examines the radical actions of environmental activists in the late 20th century, showing how civil disobedience brought attention to environmental issues that were otherwise overlooked, even if they didn’t result in long term changes. 2 While controversial, civil disobedience has often been a tool for environmental awareness and policy reform. A contemporary parallel can be drawn with the actions of Just Stop Oil, a climate activist group in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2022, the group engaged in direct action protests to demand a halt to new oil and gas licensing. By March 2025, Just Stop Oil announced the cessation of their campaign, claiming success as their primary demand had been adopted as government policy, preventing the extraction of over 4.4 billion barrels of oil. 3 The effectiveness of civil disobedience in bringing about positive change is further supported by academic research. A study published in Nature Communications investigated the impact of climate protests and found that such actions effectively increased public concern about climate change, suggesting that civil disobedience can shift public opinion and potentially influence policy decisions. 4

However, it’s important to acknowledge the complexities and risks associated with civil disobedience. Activists often face legal repercussions, as seen in the case of Zain Haq, a British Columbia-based climate activist who was deported to Pakistan in January 2025 following charges related to his protest activities. 5 Additionally, state repression of environmental protests has been identified as a significant threat to human rights and democracy. 6 Civil disobedience has played a pivotal role in the environmental movement, both historically and in contemporary contexts. While it carries inherent risks and controversies, evidence suggests that strategically executed civil disobedience can raise public awareness, influence public opinion, and lead to substantive policy changes aimed at addressing environmental challenges.

  1. “Fairy Creek old-growth logging protests.”Wikipedia. Accessed March 31, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_Creek_old-growth_logging_protests
  2. Curry, Marshall. Director, writer, producer, and Sam Cullman, Co-Director, Producer. “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front.” 2011. Marshall curry Productions, 1:25:40
  3. Carrington, Damian. “Just Stop Oil Hangs Up the Hi-Vis After Three Years of Climate Action.”The Guardian, March 27, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/27/just-stop-oil-hangs-up-the-hi-vis-after-three-years-of-climate-action
  4. Becker, Martin, and Sarah J. Jackson. “Climate Protests and Public Perception: A Cross-National Analysis.”Nature Communications 15, no. 1 (2024): 46477. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46477-4
  5. “B.C.-Based Climate Activist Deported to Pakistan After Protest Charges.”CJME, January 26, 2025. https://www.cjme.com/2025/01/26/b-c-based-climate-activist-deported-to-pakistan-after-protest-charges/
  6. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).Position Paper on Civil Disobedience and Environmental Defenders. Geneva: UNECE, 2024. https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/UNSR_EnvDefenders_Aarhus_Position_Paper_Civil_Disobedience_EN.pdf