The recent “Hands Off!” protests against President Donald Trump’s return to the White House drew an estimated 5 million people worldwide. The protesters expressed outrage over Elon Musk’s dismantling of federal agencies and programs, mass firing of federal workers, and attacks on the rights of immigrants and trans people. Climate change was a top motivation for the attendees, with two-thirds of participants in the Hands Off rally in Washington, D.C., naming climate change as a key reason for their involvement.
Unlike previous climate protests that involved disruptive tactics, the Hands Off protests were peaceful, with marchers adhering to approved routes and refraining from civil disobedience. However, recent studies have shown that disruptive tactics can be effective in influencing public opinion and media coverage in favor of the climate cause. The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that protests often sway public opinion and can even influence elections by changing people’s voting behavior.
One study in Germany showed that the Green Party received more votes in areas where climate protests took place. The “radical flank effect” suggests that more extreme climate groups can increase support for mainstream groups. For example, after the group Just Stop Oil blocked a major road in London, support for the more moderate group Friends of the Earth increased.
Despite the successes of climate protests in achieving policy changes, there are risks involved. Just Stop Oil recently ended its resistance campaign in the UK after achieving its goal of ending new oil and gas licenses. However, many protesters faced jail time as a result of their activism. Activists often face repression when their actions start to resonate and work effectively, according to researcher Dana Fisher.
Climate protests have also been linked to reductions in emissions, although the evidence is limited. Areas with lower levels of protests during the initial Earth Day in 1970 had higher levels of air pollution 20 years later compared to places with better turnout. More recent campaigns, such as Insulate Britain, which demanded government action on home insulation, have seen some success in influencing policy decisions.
As the political landscape in the US continues to evolve, organizers are looking to research on countering authoritarianism in other countries for inspiration. Studies have shown that a strong public resistance can increase the chances of democracy surviving in the face of political push towards autocracy. Despite an increase in support for political violence among left-leaning activists, surveys of climate activists show a desire to remain peaceful in their protests. In today’s political climate, the power of peaceful resistance cannot be underestimated. As noted by Fisher, some of the most successful movements in history have been those that embraced non-violent tactics. However, it is important to recognize that these movements often faced repression and violence from the state, which actually fueled the resistance and mobilized more people to join the cause.
Levin, a prominent figure in the pro-democracy and climate action movements, highlights the interconnectedness of these two struggles. The Trump administration’s rollback of environmental protections and climate policies has only added fuel to the fire. With recent executive orders undermining state-level climate laws and dismantling key government institutions, the fight for climate action has become inseparable from the fight to defend democracy itself.
The concept of the Green New Deal, which calls for bold government action to address climate change, is now at risk as the very institutions needed to implement such policies are under attack. Levin emphasizes the urgent need to defend these institutions in order to effectively tackle the climate crisis.
As we navigate these challenging times, it is crucial to remember the transformative power of peaceful resistance. By standing up against repression and violence, individuals can inspire others to join the movement and create real change. The key lies in harnessing this collective power to defend democracy, protect the environment, and pave the way for a more just and sustainable future.
