Tensions between individual and system change in the climate movement: an analysis of Extinction Rebellion

ABSTRACT

This article examines tensions in the climate movement between solutions that involve individual consumption and behaviour changes and those involving more transformative systemic change. Although they are demanding system change, activists in Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion face accusations of hypocrisy based on their personal choices. This neoliberal appeal to hypocrisy is used to discredit, divide, and undermine the climate movement. Focusing specifically on Extinction Rebellion (XR), I examine how accusations of hypocrisy take form, how XR activists and supporters respond to accusations of hypocrisy, and how XR activists justify living a low-carbon lifestyle despite a strong belief that only system change can adequately address the climate crisis. Then I explore the disconnect between XR’s focus on system change and their lack of specific goals that would drive forward the systemic changes necessary. While many activists call for ‘system change’ what is missing is an understanding of what kind of system change is necessary and how it might be achieved.

KEYWORDS:

• Activism
• climate movement
• extinction rebellion
• hypocrisy
• individualism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Northern Arizona University, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Notes on contributors

Diana Stuart

Diana Stuart, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Sustainable Communities Program and in the School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University. Her research focuses on social responses to climate change and engages with environmental sociology, animal studies, and social-ecological systems.