Can climate activism deliver transformative change? Extinction Rebellion, business and people power. Issue 3 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gunningham, Neil
• Is Part Of: Journal of human rights and the environment. Volume 11:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: activism -- Extinction Rebellion -- coalitions -- climate change -- social movements -- grassroots; Human rights -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental law -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 344.046
• DOI: 10.4337/jhre.2020.03.01
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-7188

Abstract

Abstract : This article examines whether large-scale grassroots activism might be a necessary condition for achieving transformational climate change action, and examines whether Extinction Rebellion (XR), which has had a remarkable impact in a very short time, might – unlike its predecessors – be capable of precipitating such change. Reviewing the evidence, the article suggests that such activism, even if necessary, is unlikely to be sufficient to bring about rapid and radical climate action. It might, however, prove to be an important change agent, through its contribution to a broader coalition of business and civil society actors or through harnessing 'webs of influence'. How such a coalition might evolve, or web influence play out, is also explored.