Climate Activism Is Turning Deadly In These Cities

Protest sign at climate change rally reading 'There is no Planet B'.

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One of the biggest barriers to solving climate change is communication. How can scientists effectively communicate the dangers of global warming and inspire collective action? How can politicians minimize the gap between expert knowledge and public perception to gain support for emissions-reducing legislation? While data shows that environmental protest events are increasing, 49% of U.S. adults believe that green activism is unlikely to significantly influence other Americans’ support for action on climate change, according to a recent Pew survey.

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In other parts of the world, however, activists are putting their lives on the line to defend the environment. Data from the nonprofit organization Armed Conflict Location & Event Data reveal over 5,000 incidents of protest, riots, and violence around the world related to climate change and the environment in the past two years, dozens of which resulted in at least one fatality. From violent clashes at illegal mining operations to targeted assassinations of prominent environmental activists, a look at the incidents with the most fatalities show where the fight for a sustainable future is becoming increasingly deadly.

To determine the towns where climate activism is turning deadly, Climate Crisis 247 reviewed data on political violence from the independent, nonprofit organization Armed Conflict Location & Event Data. Incidents of political violence having to do with climate and environmental issues from the past two years were ranked by number of reported fatalities.

10. Oaxaca, Mexico

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 1 death
Incident description: On February 28, 2025, two armed men on a motorcycle shot and killed a member of the Collective of Environmental Defenders in Barra de la Cruz, Oaxaca. The victim was a land defender and a member of the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders since 2023.

9. Atlantida, Honduras

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: On March 3, 2023, gunmen killed the brother and son of an environmental activist at a restaurant in Esparta, Atlantida.

8. Yoro, Honduras

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: On May 10, 2023, two indigenous Tolupan activists were killed in Yoro, Honduras.

7. Arunachal Pradesh, India

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: On June 5, 2023, villagers from Arunachal Pradesh fired at Assamese villagers planting trees on disputed land. Two people were killed, two injured, and three went missing.

6. Occitanie, France

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: On January 23, 2024, a car crashed into a roadblock set up during a farmers' protest in Pamiers, France, killing a farmer and her daughter. The driver, an Armenian national, was arrested.

5. Caraga, Philippines

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: On September 22, 2024, a village leader and his companion were shot and killed by unidentified attackers in Barangay Linibonan, Philippines. The leader had been vocal against illegal mining and exposed fake permits.

4. Guerrero, Mexico

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: On November 20, 2024, gunmen opened fire on people gathering for a protest in Bravo, Guerrero, killing two men and injuring four. The protest aimed to address local flooding, water access, and other environmental issues.

3. Comayagua, Honduras

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 2 deaths
Incident description: Around February 27, 2025 an environmentalist and his son were found dead near Las Botijas, Comayagua. Investigators believe the pair were attacked while taking photographs of the felling of trees in the Soroguara area on behalf of the Forest Conservation Institute.

2. Central Papua, Indonesia

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 3 deaths
Incident description: On March 20, 2024, an armed clash broke out between rebels and Indonesian police guarding a helicopter believed to be carrying logistics for an illegal mining operation in the Baya Biru district, leading to the deaths of two police officers and one civilian.

1. Mato Grosso, Brazil

Incident date: March 14, 2024
Incident fatalities: 5 deaths
Incident description: On 28 September 28, 2024, federal police and civil servants with the Brazilian Institute for the Environment clashed with armed guards protecting an illegal mining operation in Sarare Indigenous territory, leading to five fatalities.