Social Movement and Idealogy Analysis

October 30, 2022

Social Movement Analysis- The Extinction Rebellion 

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The social movement known as the Extinction Rebellion first started on October 31, 2018 in Stroud, United Kingdom, and focused its attention on climate change and the dire need to begin cutting emissions globally. Its origins and ideas first came from the mind of Roger Hallam, an organic farmer who was studying for a PhD, studying social change via the means of civil disobedience. Hallam's first experience with climate change came during a rainy season in 2017, where his and numerous other farmers had their crops decimated by the torrential rain. One of the key aspects of the Rebellions actions is non-violent civil disobedience; what started with Hallam's Spray painting at King College calling them to divest from fossil fuel soon turned into social movements surrounding non-violent calls to action. 

One of their most prominent displays of anti violent calls to action took place in London, where large groups of people blocked 5 bridges and began protesting outside the houses of parliament. The protests lasted a full day, and was where the group had their Declaration of Rebellion, symbolizing their pact to bring more light to the drastic damages of the future from climate change. This act brought the movement much attention, and helped to create new organizations across the planet. From then on, the group began staging numerous other non violent acts to bring attention to the issue without causing any harm whatsoever. 

This is one of the best ways to bring people's attention to a poignant issue in all of our lives that has yet to be fully and truly considered by those in. power. Urgency is a huge factor in the Extinction Rebellion's cases; slowing down a busy city like London takes a lot of effort and organization that was very much on display at the time. Civil disobedience brought the government's eyes on the very real problem at hand, at most harming some pockets of business owners and slowing down commutes, lessening emissions from a lesser number of vehicles. The protests did lead to arrests as well, with Hallam being arrested on numerous occasions. This shows the passion of the movement as a whole, with people willing to do time if it means calling the government to action, Future social movements should look at this group for inspiration, using a stance that makes sense to support and performing acts that bring attention but also do no harm to others.  

Ideology Analysis- Environmentalism

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With the idea of the drastic changes to our climate, environmentalism is a clear factor in social movements such as the Extinction Rebellion. For years, groups have sought to preserve our planet after human-centric decisions caused damages to our environment, and in the year 2022, it has already become much more noticeable. Seasonal changes feel much more drastic, with more rainy season and wildfires across the planet. In Seattle, we have recently seen some of the worst air quality on the planet, despite being a city most known for its greenery and fresh air. It makes sense why people are beginning to come together and collectively call for urgent change; they are beginning to realize that the next generations face not only compounded issues, but potentially new and devastating issues that can have irreparable damage. 

Besides the obvious climate problems, it is important to also consider the problems humans have caused in terms of pollution. One example of an issue that environmentalists are seeking to tackle is the Pacific Garbage patch, where two large bodies of trash and debris float in a vortex between Japan and the United States and Hawaii. Currently, a non profit group known as the Ocean Cleanup has been working on removing this trash from the ocean, most recently removing 220,000 pounds of plastic using new boats and giant nets. The company is confident it will gain support despite the task at hand; the Garbage patch takes up a size about twice as big as Texas. Groups like this should be supported by the government, especially considering their end goal of doing more to combat climate change than the government. 

Environmentalist passions are under appreciated in this era, and their current fight is one that is necessary for the future of humanity, With more drastic changes to the climate imminent, it is important to call those in power to action, especially when they have the means and resources to make true change. Putting that into consideration, it then begins with one person, who begins to see the issues for what they are, and does whatever they can to make the issue known. Roger Hallam is a great example of this, seeing firsthand how we are drastically hurting the planet, and putting himself in that position to make real change. The actions he took helped bring light to the eyes of those in London, who have been subject to human made pollution for years. From there, it spread across the globe; hopefully these actions will not be overlooked, as the group will be planning more civil nonviolent disobedience in the future.