Some environmentalists tired of waiting for ‘green economics’ to catch up with the society at large, have adopted their own strategies for tipping the financial calculation in favour of the land. In the forest surrounding Vancouver, where trees are being felled for paper to print philosophy books (well, maybe one or two, but it’s worth it), groups have used metal spikes hidden in trees to prevent the chainsaws from operating safely, pushing up the price of harvesting the trees. In Phoenix, Arizona, where mountain nature reserves have been encroached on by new houses, hooded vigilantes have burnt down the new residences .The arsonists, according to the local paper, pray before they burn down a house that no one will get hurt, thinking primarily of the fire-fighters - the new houses are burned while still empty. ‘We don’t pray for ourselves not to get caught - that’s God’s will.’ one is quoted as saying.

As per the activists, all aforementioned activities seem clearly very principled. But is it ethical?