Ontological insecurity and urgency as a political value. Discourses of youth climate activists in Portugal

Abstract

ABSTRACT As seen in other countries, Portuguese youth have been inspired by Greta Thunberg and her actions, which has led to protest marches, sit-ins, blockades and other forms of manifestations calling for climate and environmental change, and a more sustainable future. The most noteworthy acts of mobilization came from the Fridays for Future initiative, a global youth movement involving student school walkouts and strikes. Based on recent research carried out in Portugal, this article focuses on young climate activists. Through data collected via in-depth interviews, we focussed on the discourses of these activists to understand the motivational drivers behind their actions. The interview analysis reveals, on the one hand, a growing sense of ontological insecurity and, on the other, urgency as a crucial element in their struggle. In this sense, urgency is converted into a political value, defining a timeframe for political action, and contributing to the construction of mobilization discourses.