Climate activists are increasingly turning to clandestine acts of sabotage against fossil fuel infrastructure, according to a new manifesto from the group Shut the System (STS). The group claims to be launching a new phase of the climate movement, targeting the 'tools, property and machinery' of those most responsible for global warming.
In January, STS activists cut internet cables in the City of London, disrupting service to hundreds of insurers. The group said the action was motivated by climate concerns and aimed at shutting down key players in the fossil fuel economy. A cybersecurity expert confirmed a 'significant slowdown of internet speed' in the area, though the network continued to function.
An anonymous STS activist told the Guardian that tougher laws against disruptive protests, including long prison sentences for activists like those from Just Stop Oil, have made traditional methods unsustainable. 'If you want to do anything that is disruptive, the penalty is pretty massive now,' he said, adding that the number of people willing to risk jail time is small.
STS is not alone in this approach. In 2022, unknown activists damaged a pipeline being built for jet fuel near London. This month, another group deflated tyres on over 100 SUVs at Land Rover dealerships in Cornwall. The Tyre Extinguishers campaign has also targeted hundreds of vehicles by urging autonomous action.
The shift reflects growing frustration as fossil fuel emissions continue to rise despite years of mass protests. Groups like Extinction Rebellion and the school strikes movement had hoped large numbers on the streets would force change, but activists now say more drastic measures are needed.
