65
nities for the Climate Strike Protest Movement
to share and progress actions with the rest of
the world. The use of social media by climate
activists enhanced morale, promoted accountability prompted additional organised protests
within the movement. The climate strike
activities inspired millions of students and
youth around the world to join the “Friday for
Future” action in skipping school every Friday
as part of their climate change protest.
• The message of the strikes resonated with the
anxieties of young people and those who are
concerned with reducing global warming.
Seeing someone so young was confident
enough to directly accuse international leaders
of ignoring the dangers of global warming
mobilised more participants, especially youths
who felt overlooked and undervalued by these
leaders. Those whose viewpoints were similar
felt a greater sense of duty to get involved and
therefore continued the strikes for longer than
a usual protest.
• Establishment of a network of Youth Climate
Strike Movements across the world was a capable vehicle to localise the climate change
issues, building awareness on the impact of climate change while organising youth across the
globe to rally around the climate issues by pressuring governments and the business community to take action to reduce global warming.
• The enhanced profile of the strikes has provided Thunberg with the opportunity to speak
at globe climate change rallies in Canada, the
United States and London as well as to criticise national presidents and cooperate executives for their non-action. The movement has
become so popular that the banner for her initial school strike has been translated in many
languages.
• The climate strike action propelled Thunberg
as a role model for determination, inspiration
and affirmative action. Her strength of character in that she decided to strike alone at first
demonstrated her courage and commitment to
the cause. Initially, her classmates declined
from joining her on the picket line at the
Swedish parliament.
• Thunberg is already a strong leader, and people were very eager to find a leader who is
ready to engage and mobilise the general public on climate change. Her craft of mobilising
and inspiring people will only increase with
age and experience.
• A global, bottom-up climate movement that
links to a network of organisations in 6100
geographic localities in 185 countries meant
spontaneous and dynamic engagement, which
can be unpredictable to governments. The
sheer volume of voices has undoubtedly made
many multinational organisations now listen
to this marginalised sector.
Weaknesses
• Neglecting education which is key to equipping the future with the basics and skills to
produce productive solutions to solve or mitigate climate impacts. The climate strike
actions cut into students’ schooling, which
many take for granted in the developed world
but fight for in the developing world. These
strikes may have put off youth in areas where
education is still a privilege for the wealthy
from engaging in the movement, such as in
many LDCs.
• Passers-by expressed pity and bemusement at
the sight of the lone 15-year-old teenager sitting on the cobblestone of the parliament with
her hands full of banners and pamphlets. Many
initially did not take the movement seriously,
and many still see it as merely children griping
without giving any actionable solutions.
• The absence of a defined organisational structure that would mobilise global climate strike
activities more efficiently. Climate strike
actions seem haphazardly organised. It also
meant that one universal manifesto does not
exist and meant that offshoots could include
views and efforts into the movement that were
not supported by the majority and meant
spending more time condemning those that
exploit the system than acting. Having some
organisation would strengthen the impact of
Utilising SWOT Analysis in Assessing the Scope of the Movement
nities for the Climate Strike Protest Movement
to share and progress actions with the rest of
the world. The use of social media by climate
activists enhanced morale, promoted accountability prompted additional organised protests
within the movement. The climate strike
activities inspired millions of students and
youth around the world to join the “Friday for
Future” action in skipping school every Friday
as part of their climate change protest.
• The message of the strikes resonated with the
anxieties of young people and those who are
concerned with reducing global warming.
Seeing someone so young was confident
enough to directly accuse international leaders
of ignoring the dangers of global warming
mobilised more participants, especially youths
who felt overlooked and undervalued by these
leaders. Those whose viewpoints were similar
felt a greater sense of duty to get involved and
therefore continued the strikes for longer than
a usual protest.
• Establishment of a network of Youth Climate
Strike Movements across the world was a capable vehicle to localise the climate change
issues, building awareness on the impact of climate change while organising youth across the
globe to rally around the climate issues by pressuring governments and the business community to take action to reduce global warming.
• The enhanced profile of the strikes has provided Thunberg with the opportunity to speak
at globe climate change rallies in Canada, the
United States and London as well as to criticise national presidents and cooperate executives for their non-action. The movement has
become so popular that the banner for her initial school strike has been translated in many
languages.
• The climate strike action propelled Thunberg
as a role model for determination, inspiration
and affirmative action. Her strength of character in that she decided to strike alone at first
demonstrated her courage and commitment to
the cause. Initially, her classmates declined
from joining her on the picket line at the
Swedish parliament.
• Thunberg is already a strong leader, and people were very eager to find a leader who is
ready to engage and mobilise the general public on climate change. Her craft of mobilising
and inspiring people will only increase with
age and experience.
• A global, bottom-up climate movement that
links to a network of organisations in 6100
geographic localities in 185 countries meant
spontaneous and dynamic engagement, which
can be unpredictable to governments. The
sheer volume of voices has undoubtedly made
many multinational organisations now listen
to this marginalised sector.
Weaknesses
• Neglecting education which is key to equipping the future with the basics and skills to
produce productive solutions to solve or mitigate climate impacts. The climate strike
actions cut into students’ schooling, which
many take for granted in the developed world
but fight for in the developing world. These
strikes may have put off youth in areas where
education is still a privilege for the wealthy
from engaging in the movement, such as in
many LDCs.
• Passers-by expressed pity and bemusement at
the sight of the lone 15-year-old teenager sitting on the cobblestone of the parliament with
her hands full of banners and pamphlets. Many
initially did not take the movement seriously,
and many still see it as merely children griping
without giving any actionable solutions.
• The absence of a defined organisational structure that would mobilise global climate strike
activities more efficiently. Climate strike
actions seem haphazardly organised. It also
meant that one universal manifesto does not
exist and meant that offshoots could include
views and efforts into the movement that were
not supported by the majority and meant
spending more time condemning those that
exploit the system than acting. Having some
organisation would strengthen the impact of
Utilising SWOT Analysis in Assessing the Scope of the Movement