A new report says „significant work“ is needed to get black and Asian communities more involved in environmental protests.
Extinction Rebellion decided to change strategy in the winter of 2022, moving from destructive lockdowns to more publicly acceptable forms of action and building a widespread movement. Experts conducted a study to find out whether the organization's attempts to expand its activities have been successful. its supporter base.
An analysis of participants in the peaceful four-day, 50,000-person „The Big One“ (TBO) protests in April 2023 shows that participants from a variety of ethnic backgrounds were more likely to be involved in previous Extinction protests. -I found it to be better represented than the Rebellion demo. However, participants from black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups remain under-represented compared to the rest of the UK population, with the exception of mixed-race people.
bias
A total of 89 per cent of participants randomly selected to complete the survey were white (0.4 per cent were black compared to 83.4 per cent in the general UK population, 4 per cent in the UK) and 2.7 per cent were Asian. Only 2.2% of British nationals were of mixed race, compared to 9.3% of the general population who were British and 7.5% were of mixed race.
Professor Claire Saunders and her team from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Exeter, Cornwall, received survey responses from 611 Big One participants and completed a special survey to ensure random sampling and reduce response rate bias. Measures have been taken.
Professor Saunders said: „While participants felt TBO was effective in reaching a diverse population, there is more work to be done here. Green and Labor supporters are in the majority, but Black and Asian communities remain underrepresented and there is important work to be done in partnership with and through Black and Asian community networks and local political parties.”
Nonviolence
More than half (57%) of demonstrators had attended fewer than five climate demonstrations before, and 18% were attending a climate change demonstration for the first time.
Participants considered the demonstration to be relatively successful in bringing together a diverse group of supporters and demonstrating the value of nonviolent direct action. They have less confidence in the government's ability to persuade it to adopt better policies, use public assemblies on climate change, or persuade bystanders of the importance of the cause. Ta.
The majority of participants were active in environmental organizations, and nearly half belonged to local organizations, significantly lower than in previous climate demonstrations and protests.
supporter
Participating in low-risk forms of political activity, such as petitions and ethical consumerism, was common among participants, and those who claimed to be more likely to engage in these after attending an event The number has increased slightly. Violent behavior was unpopular.