Blocking Burning Man and Van Gogh vandalism: environmental activists stop playing nice.

Each morning of the blockade, Emily Collins, co-founder of the climate group Rave Revolution, dressed up in camouflage pants and boots, unaware of the conflict that awaited her. Together with her partner, Tommy Diacono, she was preparing a wooden sign in the shape of planet Earth with the words "Arsonists of the World Unite." Emily and Tommy prepared a protest, blocking the road and expressing their views on the climate crisis. They believed that Burning Man, where the counterculture and tech community gather each year, controlled much of the cultural zeitgeist. Having personal experience with the event, they concluded that it could be a catalyst for their political awakening. They saw Burning Man as a place of opportunity for people to be cooperative and generous. But the exciting world of Burning Man came into question when real people faced crisis.

Climatologist James Hansen has called 2023 and 2024 a turning point in the fight against climate change. Many countries have begun to implement radical plans, including the withdrawal of insurance companies from the home insurance market due to the risk of fires and the construction of underground shelters for civilizational collapse. Meanwhile, protests are becoming more provocative, aiming to draw public attention and force the government to act. These actions reflect the younger generation's understanding of the power of attention and conflict.

There are various opinions among scholars about how many people it would take to trigger a legitimacy crisis for the current government. These numbers range from 3.5% to 25% of the population. This is a manifestation of pressure on the authorities, demonstrating the need for changes in environmental policy. This initiative stems from activists united in "Seven Circles," who have become part of a global protest movement. As the world slows down in its progress towards combating climate change, protests are becoming more determined and provocative.

The numerous protests in recent years are attempts to take action in a context where the understanding of the crisis is becoming increasingly evident. Many of them are forms of performative art, contrasting artistic and decorative actions with empty promises and beautiful words. New forms of protest are emerging, reflecting the younger generation's understanding of the value of capturing attention and creating conflict situations.

The world is changing, and the shift to new forms of protest is inevitable. It embodies a new wave of activism in our time, aimed at taking control of events and challenging those in power.