From Greta’s Beginning
The Rise of “Fridays for Future” from Greta Thunberg’s School Strike to a Global Protest Movement
“When I started striking in 2018, I never expected it to lead to anything,” tweeted Greta Thunberg on her last day of school. What the 15-year-old triggered with her cardboard sign in front of the Swedish parliament back then hardly needs any further explanation today: By 2019, her “school strike for the climate” had evolved into the movement known as “Fridays for Future” (FFF), which millions of people worldwide joined. For five years, Greta and her fellow activists have been speaking on the international stage, appealing to the conscience of those in power – whether at the EU Parliament, the United Nations, or the World Economic Forum in Davos.
At first, Thunberg’s activism was perceived as a curiosity, with the focus of media coverage initially on her autism, portraying her as a naive little girl. The young participants of “Fridays for Future” also faced criticism, with articles like the one in the “Augsburger Allgemeine” questioning the authenticity of their commitment: “Is this the new German protest culture? Attending a climate rally with a Starbucks disposable cup, quickly posting a couple of pictures on Instagram, and then going back home?” However, soon enough, “Parents for Future,” “Grandparents for Future,” and “Scientists for Future” stood behind the movement, making it clear that what these young global citizens were demanding was not youthful recklessness but a legitimate warning about a global threat.
Catchphrases of the Movement
With their weekly school strike, millions of young people raised the uncomfortable question of what really matters in their young lives and how to prepare for the future: Sitting through history lessons or actively participating to ensure that the global climate allows for a livable future? “We are not striking, we are fighting” became a popular slogan of the demonstrations, along with the phrase “How dare you?” from Thunberg’s impassioned speech at the UN Climate Summit.
The message was that the irresponsible actions of politicians, corporations, and a consumption-oriented society were robbing millions of young people of their future livelihood. This argument resonated worldwide, as three researchers from the University of Leeds noted in an article in the journal “PLOS Climate”: “What has given ‘Fridays for Future’ its mobilizing force is the impression of a moral failure, an injustice against young people around the world. In turn, this movement has given these young people a sense of self-empowerment and efficacy.”
Even in authoritarian states such as Russia and China, Greta and her cause found supporters. Although they may not have mobilized massive protests, they gained visibility as outsiders. Even when street protests came to an end due to the COVID-19 pandemic and gathering restrictions, FFF remained active online, continuing to be the voice of climate consciousness.
Impact in Federal Politics
Five Years Later, “Fridays for Future” Leaves a Significant Impact in Society
According to Sebastian Haunss, a professor at the Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen, “Fridays for Future” has had a considerable impact on society over the past five years. His research indicates that the movement not only led to an observable increase in the number of people searching for information about climate change on Google but also gave a boost to “greener” politics in Germany. A article by the University of Bremen summarizes the findings, highlighting the influence of the movement on policies such as the climate package and the participation of the Green Party at the federal level.
Many municipalities, independent of national initiatives, have declared a “climate emergency” and are working on local measures to address the dangers of climate change.
A study published in the journal “Sustainability Science” from Switzerland confirms that “Fridays for Future,” particularly Greta Thunberg, has raised awareness of the urgency of the climate crisis among residents and has led to changes in their behavior. Many respondents reported that they now rely more on cycling and public transportation, consume less and more consciously, reduce waste as much as possible, and save energy. However, the study notes that these behavioral changes remained limited to individuals’ personal lives. In politics and the economy, similarly far-reaching effects were not observed.
This paradoxical situation is what defines the overall assessment of “Fridays for Future” beyond its successful agenda setting. The movement did not achieve its specific goals, such as Germany’s transition to climate neutrality by 2035, including a coal phase-out and a complete transition to renewable energy.
“Climate Justice” as a New Goal
With the emergence of other protest movements such as “Extinction Rebellion,” “Climate Stickers,” and others, who share the same concerns and seek to collaborate with FFF, a more radical approach has been adopted. However, FFF spokespersons have always distanced themselves from being co-opted. They continue to focus on peaceful mass protests, aiming to raise awareness about the unequivocal scientific evidence for the climate crisis and to demand immediate action.
The moderate image has contributed to FFF’s ability to maintain a prominent position in public and political discourse, although the increasing prominence and proximity to party politics of individual activists within the movement have sparked controversy. However, the decentralized organizational structure has not been without its challenges. For example, social media accounts of “Fridays for Future International” made headlines in 2021 when they published pathetically one-sided statements regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which were never retracted, even though individual branches like FFF Germany distanced themselves from those statements.
The movement is increasingly taking stands on other issues as well. For example, they interpreted Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in 2022 as a “fight for resources” driven by the “capitalism of fossil fuels” and called for solidarity with Ukraine. In a picture posted by Thunberg on her last day of school on Twitter, alongside the iconic “Climate” signs, a Trans Pride flag and a Kurdish flag were also visible. Consequently, in the public perception, “FFF” might dilute into a universal protest group for emancipation movements. However, the underlying objective is different: under the slogan of “climate justice,” the belief is gaining ground that climate change disproportionately affects disadvantaged groups worldwide, even though they have contributed the least to its causes.
In the future, it will be less dependent on the voices of the white middle class, who have played a significant role in making FFF (Fridays for Future) prominent, and more on those whose lifestyles and living areas are directly threatened. “The Global South is the unsung leader of the climate movement,” states an article in the journal “Nature.” Greta Thunberg herself wrote, “We, who can raise our voices, have the duty to do so. To change everything, we need everyone.” The fight has only just begun.