American political and social activist Abbie Hoffman rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s for taking a bold stance in his protests against social injustices. His activism frequently took unorthodox forms, such as direct action and civil disobedience.
In this context, Hoffman's statement regarding ecoterrorism can be interpreted. Hoffman was pushing for more extreme measures to draw attention to environmental issues in a world where they were becoming more urgent but were mostly disregarded by mainstream politics. He thought that pollution, deforestation, and other ecological destruction posed serious threats to the planet.
Think of it like a house on fire: someone may need to throw something or scream loudly to warn others of the danger before it's too late if everyone is too oblivious or preoccupied to notice the flames spreading across the walls. Hoffman also believed that more drastic measures were required to draw attention to environmental crises because traditional forms of protest were insufficient.
Even though his opinions were divisive and not held by all members of the environmental movement, they nevertheless show a profound concern for the planet's future and the pressing need for action. Hoffman's position stemmed from the conviction that when the survival of something as vital as our environment is at risk, extreme measures may be necessary.