Children’s protest in relation to the climate emergency: A qualitative study on a new form of resistance promoting political and social change

Abstract

This article explores children’s resistance in relation to the climate emergency through a thematic analysis of climate activist Greta Thunberg’s speeches. Two themes, new to the literature, are identified: (1) need for political and social change focusing on the climate emergency, resistance towards laissez-faire behaviour and exhortations, and (2) resistance targets including the political leaders, capitalist ideologies and older generations. This illustrates the power of children in expressing abstract progressive resistance.

Keywords

Children climate emergency Greta Thunberg political agency resistance

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