Youth Activism, Climate Justice, and Intergenerational Equity: Insights for Environmental Social Work

Background and Purpose
Climate change is increasingly recognized as a social justice issue that produces profound intergenerational inequities. Younger generations are expected to experience the most severe environmental, social, and health consequences of the climate crisis, yet they often have limited influence over policy and institutional decision-making. In response, youth around the world have mobilized through environmental activism to demand recognition, participation, and climate justice. While youth activism has gained significant public attention, less research has explored how young activists themselves understand their engagement and navigate the social contexts that shape it. This study examines the experiences of youth environmental activists in Israel, focusing on their motivations, the challenges they encounter, and the meanings they attribute to their activism.

Methods
The study employed a qualitative research design based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 youth environmental activists aged 16–22 from diverse geographic and social backgrounds across Israel. Participants were recruited through youth environmental organizations and activist networks. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns in participants’ experiences and interpretations of their activism.

Results
Four central themes emerged. First, participants described strong motivations grounded in moral responsibility and commitments to environmental and social justice. Second, activism served as a meaningful site for identity formation and collective belonging. Third, youth navigated complex relationships with families, schools, and institutional actors, which could both enable and constrain their activism. Finally, participants described strategic engagement across multiple arenas, including public protests, educational initiatives, and digital advocacy. Across interviews, youth framed their activism not as extracurricular involvement but as a struggle for their fundamental right to a livable and sustainable future.

Conclusions and Implications
Youth environmental activism represents an important form of civic participation through which young people seek to address intergenerational injustice. At the same time, participants described emotional burdens associated with activism, including eco-anxiety and social tensions. These findings highlight the relevance of environmental social work in supporting youth activists, recognizing youth civic engagement, and advocating for institutional structures that enable meaningful youth participation in environmental decision-making.