I've never seen these people be able to explain why they do what they do in any way that makes sense or is logically consistent so...

They may label themselves as environmentalists etc - because they have to label themselves as something if they don't want to just be considered vandals - but I think the answer that's most likely is some type of personality disorder.

Is it in the news? Mission accomplished.

Kinda feels like the underpants gnomes thing then

1. Get in the news

2. ???

3. Environment is saved!

Sure and a few years back some Dutchie protesters got in the news because they were gluing themselves to things. It was hilarious and I have 0 genuine recollection of what they were trying to accomplish, because most of this is ineffective flash-in-the-pan stuff.

That’s possibly because their fundamental objective is narcissism, not a benevolent ideology.

not really actually, it works and it's called the "radical flank" theory

You claim it works.

Allegedly, they did this to reduce the burning of fossil fuels, not (as seems more likely to me and others) to act like a bunch of poorly-socialized three-year-olds throwing a tantrum.

How many fewer barrels of oil would you estimate will be burned over the course of the coming year as a direct result of this "protest"? Say, to the nearest million. Be sure to show your work.

Any? No? Then it didn't actually "work", did it?

Only with a trivial definition of "works".