Book : How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm

Synopsis : In this text, Malm makes an impassioned call for the climate movement to escalate its tactics in the face of ecological collapse. We need, he argues, to force fossil fuel extraction to stop—with our actions, with our bodies, and by defusing and destroying its tools. We need, in short, to start blowing up some oil pipelines. Offering a counter-history of how mass popular change has occurred, from the democratic revolutions overthrowing dictators to the movement against apartheid and for women’s suffrage, Malm argues that the strategic acceptance of property destruction and violence has been the only route for revolutionary change.

Reading Schedule :

  • Sunday 7th August – Preface and Chapter 1
  • Sunday 14th August – Chapter 2
  • Sunday 21st August – Chapter 3

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Audiobook

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Supplementary Material:

Interview With the Author

The Author on Rev Left Radio

When Does the Fightback Begin? - Andreas Malm response to critics of How to Blow Up a Pipeline

    • HoChiMaxh [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Yeah for sure. He talks in detail about how the specific actions chosen should be carefully weighed against the level of support the movement has and how mortified the local population feels about property damage. He contrasts the public perception of direct action in France to the US, where the same action may aid the movement in France but cause widespread public outcry if done in the US. He is clear to argue that at this point in the climate struggle the escalation should very seriously aim to not take human life.

      I should also add that he takes time to make clear why activists should push back on anyone calling these actions terrorism. People on this very site would do well to read this section as many here are all too willing to adopt the framework of the right here, which conflates violence against property with violence against innocent civilians.