Youth Climate Strikes in Poland: Who protests and why?

Abstract

The strikes under the slogan #FridaysForFuture started in August 2018 by the Swedish Greta Thunberg and mobilized several million young people in just over a year. This wave of climate protests is unique in terms of strategy and tactics adopted by demonstrating youth, global reach, and their attractiveness for school students. The most important message of the climate strikes was anxiety about the future in connection with the upcoming climate disaster. The paper presents the demographics and motivations of the participants of two Youth Climate Strikes in Poland. The results are presented in the context of surveys carried out during climate strikes in other countries. The data presented in the articles come from two surveys: conducted during the climate strike on March 15 and September 20, 2019.