Global Mobilization of Youth for Climate Change

Pretty fascinating how kids/youth (i.e. high schoolers and younger) are organizing on issues which they believe directly impact their security and well-being,  both at present and in the future.  This happened on Friday March 15, 2019 with the Fridays for Future global protests for climate change action, started by a Swedish teen. For more context on the protests, see this WaPo article.

Source: Fridays For Future webpage

There's been similar youth movements such as March For Our Lives advocating tighter gun control. With the horrific mosque shooting in New Zealand last week (or white supremacist terrorism - whichever way you want to label or frame  the story), I wouldn't be surprised if global youth activism on this issue becomes bigger.

It's great that the next generation are mobilizing on matters of global concern.  Social science research on life experiences during one's formative years suggests that these teens will be more civic-minded and politically engaged as they grow older.  Their longer term impact is less clear. Will they influence their peers (i.e. their generation)  which can help shift cultural/political norms. Will their activism help reframe existing debates and generate new ideas to existing problems which resonate with the "adults" right now? As the current youth get older, will their positions shift (or will they become jaded) as they recognize the power of corporate interests, prevailing socio-economic structures, and other national priorities which challenge their position?