Justifying Futile Climate Activism

Certain acts of disruptive climate activism appear to be justifiable in terms of their instrumental value. They help raise awareness, assure others that many will participate in the collective action, pressure politicians, call to change governmental policies, and/or directly frustrate environmentally damaging industries. But what if climate disaster is inevitable? What if climate protests and resistance are futile? Should this be the case, we cannot appeal to the instrumental value realised to justify the costs (or even harm) imposed by the activists; as those would be gratuitous costs (or harm). Nevertheless, we believe that futile climate activism can be justified as fitting speech. We need to convey our refusal and rejection to polluters. Sometimes mere words are insufficient to convey our messages adequately, and action – forceful action – is called for.