In the unconventional documentary, “Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law?,” the renowned naturalist and television presenter, Chris Packham, navigates the perplexing and turbulent times driven by the climate crisis. The documentary begins with an audio montage of Packham’s inner turmoil about the climate crisis, cleverly juxtaposed with imagery of his face slowly being engulfed by thick, black treacle, symbolizing the world’s struggle with environmental degradation.
Packham’s film goes beyond conventional thought-provoking content; it delves into his personal dilemma about the purpose of life and the sacrifices required to secure a sustainable future. This internal struggle serves as a reflection of the choices humanity must make. Despite global wildfires and floods, there is still a frustrating lack of significant change. Traditional avenues such as voting, peaceful protests, and rational debates have proven ineffective. The question remains: What now?
This conundrum becomes evident during Packham’s conversation with Lord John Gummer, who chaired the government’s Climate Change Committee. Gummer recognizes the urgency of the situation, advocating for a “war footing” to address climate change. However, when questioned about radical protests, he emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law.
In contrast, Packham sympathizes with the dedicated climate activists associated with the guerrilla pressure group, Just Stop Oil. These ordinary citizens are willing to risk arrest and imprisonment to safeguard the planet’s future. Packham applauds their efforts, even joining them in a slow-walk protest that disrupts London’s streets. He also showcases his connection to Just Stop Oil by observing their activists painting the offices of the controversial “thinktank” Policy Exchange with orange paint.
During his visit to a Just Stop Oil activist serving a prison sentence for a daring bridge-scaling protest, Packham criticizes society for incarcerating principled individuals. These activists face not only legal consequences but also threats of violence from some members of the public, possibly incited by right-wing media portrayals.
Despite the risks involved, Packham leans towards supporting extreme measures, even participating in them himself. He openly criticizes the conservationist establishment, including a clip of David Attenborough’s UN speech, highlighting the ineffectiveness of traditional approaches. He reminds the audience that historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Emmeline Pankhurst did not limit themselves to peaceful requests for change.
In his quest for guidance, Packham meets with Swedish ecology professor Andreas Malm, who authored the provocative book, “How to Blow Up a Pipeline.” Malm clarifies that he doesn’t necessarily advocate literal violence but does support sabotaging fossil-fuel infrastructure.
The documentary raises the question: Could the amiable Chris Packham, known for his natural history series on television, risk it all by engaging in radical acts like disrupting an oil refinery? Roger Hallam, a co-founder of Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, believes that a respected public figure facing imprisonment could be the tipping point the climate movement needs.
In the end, Packham does not publicly declare his intention to commit an imprisonable offense. However, he reaffirms his support for climate activists who are willing to cross that line. One compelling reason to hope that he doesn’t land in jail is that it would deprive us of his honest, thought-provoking, and urgently relevant television programs like this one.
“Chris Packham: Is It Time to Break the Law?” is currently airing on Channel 4, providing viewers with a unique perspective on the challenges posed by the climate crisis.