I fund climate activism – and I applaud the Van Gogh protest | Aileen Getty

The Just Stop Oil protest shocked the world, but we must take disruptive action on the climate crisis before it's too late

Two climate activists who threw soup on the protective glass covering of Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting have captured the attention of the world. While some have ridiculed the activists, as a funder of climate activism, I am proud of the bigger conversation they have started.

When I saw the video, my first reaction was shock. Throwing soup on a beloved painting was a desperate move. What could possibly motivate a young person to do such a thing? This is where we find ourselves after decades of mostly incremental activism which has brought us to the point of a collapsing planet, engulfed in flame and drought, and burning to the ground. Activists are trying everything they can to get our attention. How far is too far to get the attention of people in immediate danger?