'No ethics? No Wi-Fi': Internet cut off to UK insurers in climate-motivated sabotage

Early this morning, the UK offices of over 400 insurance companies, brokers and managing agents woke up to a new and highly disruptive form of non-violent direct action against them — cutting off their internet.

Overnight, activists from the underground climate group Shut The System posing as electrical engineers gained access to a slew of locations before sabotaging communications cables and removing internet access for the businesses. The coordinated actions took place across the country, with offices disrupted in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds. 

The companies were targeted due to their ongoing role in underpinning the global fossil fuel industry through underwriting contracts and investments – amongst those affected by the outage are three of the world's largest fossil fuel insurers: AXA, W.R. Berkely and AIG. In a press release claiming responsibility for the disruption, Shut The System demand that insurance companies immediately end their financial support of fossil fuel expansion and embark on a transition away from their polluting clients.

The insurance sector has been the ongoing target of environmental campaigners in recent years, coming under fire for simultaneously propping up the fossil fuel industry financially whilst withdrawing coverage from climate-affected regions and raising premiums for households victim to extreme-weather events.

But the insurance industry has also felt the pressure from activists. Last year, Probitas confirmed to climate campaigners that it would withdraw its involvement in both the West Cumbria Coal Mine and East African Crude Oil Pipeline projects. Zurich Insurance have also introduced a set of fossil fuel exclusion policies after engaging with activists.

As one anonymous activist said: ‘If these powerful companies don't make public statements that they will stop driving fossil fuel expansion and destroying life on Earth, then we have no choice but to stop them ourselves. We will not give up until insurance companies take responsible action.’

Is peaceful, civil disobedience the only way bring about the social change needed to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis? Read more from our 2018 interview with Extinction Rebellion and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

— Paula Lacey (@pllcy)