FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE: YOUTH ACTIVISM AND THE FIGHT FOR A
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The Green is Easy podcast, in collaboration with the organization Fridays for Future, has left us with an insightful reflection on sustainability and the role of youth activism in the fight against the climate crisis. With the participation of Jorge and Blanca, members of the Granada chapter, key topics were discussed, including eco-friendly practices, political advocacy, and the barriers to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Fridays for Future is a global movement that seeks to pressure institutions and governments to take urgent action against the climate crisis. Although it started as a space for demonstrations and protests, it has evolved into political advocacy strategies, awareness campaigns, and artivism actions to capture public and media attention.
In Granada, one of the most polluted cities in Spain, the local group has focused its efforts on demanding concrete measures such as improving urban mobility, creating bike lanes, and increasing green spaces. Through initiatives like modifying advertising billboards to expose water management issues in Sierra Nevada or organizing street clothing swaps, Fridays for Future demonstrates that activism is not limited to mass protests but can take many different forms.
One of the major challenges facing sustainability is the socio-economic system itself, which makes it difficult to adopt responsible habits. From products labeled as eco- friendly that still travel thousands of kilometers to the high cost of more sustainable options, the current model does not facilitate the transition to a green economy.
Additionally, from a psychological perspective, humanity’s inability to project itself into the future and social disconnection contribute to stagnation and inaction. The podcast also addressed the burden placed on younger generations, who suffer the consequences of the extractivist model that benefited previous generations. While
activists of all ages exist, young people have taken the lead despite the obstacles they face, such as a lack of political representation and the perception that their voices carry less weight in decision-making.
Fridays for Future has shown that change does not solely depend on large governmental policies but also on social pressure and the creativity of activism. Through diverse strategies and an intersectional approach, the movement continues to gain strength, challenging established structures to move towards a fairer and more sustainable future.