“You are stealing our future in front of our very eyes.” The representation of climate change, emotions and the mobilisation of young environmental activists in Britain

Abstract

“You are stealing our future in front of our very eyes.” These words from Greta Thunberg encapsulate two prominent themes in the global wave of environmental activism since 2018 and its discourse. First, climate change is represented as a “crisis” or an “emergency” and placed within dystopian narratives. Second, older generations, particularly politicians, are urged to take swift and substantial action, to both fulfil their generational responsibility towards young and future generations, and to avoid ecological collapse.This article discusses the impact of such discourse on the activism of young protesters. It draws on 50 semi-structured interviews with young environmental activists engaged in school climate strikes Fridays For Future (FFF) movement and Extinction Rebellion (XR), in Britain during autumn 2019.The ways climate change is represented has instigated emotional responses. Initially overwhelmed, they then become angry and frustrated with politicians, which mobilised them in collective environmental protest movements that provide camaraderie, joy and hope. Such activism can be understood as Do-It-Ourselves (DIO) politics, whereby youths feel the need to “do something” positive together to make powerholders from older generations “do something” significant and sustainable for the planet and future young generations. Politicians are increasingly reacting to this youth activism.