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What's in It for Them? A Developmental Science Perspective on Adolescent Climate Activism
Judith van de Wetering1, Katharine Lee2
1Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Journal of Adolescence
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Adolescent climate activism stems from a desire for a just world, self-expression, and connection. This engagement satisfies developmental needs for contribution, autonomy, identity exploration, and social belonging.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Climate Change Activism
- Adolescent Studies
Background:
- Adolescents globally are striking for climate action, showing solidarity with future generations and the Global South.
- Understanding adolescent climate activism is crucial from a developmental science perspective.
- Activism may be linked to adolescents' developing identity and salient motives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore adolescent climate activism through a developmental lens.
- To analyze the roots of climate activism in adolescents' identity and motives.
- To understand how developmental needs drive climate engagement.
Main Methods:
- Online semi-structured interviews conducted with 11 Dutch adolescents (aged 14-18) involved in climate activism.
- Data analyzed using theoretical reflexive thematic analysis in NVivo.
- Exploration of meaning patterns while acknowledging researchers' subjective role.
Main Results:
- Theme 1: Activism motivated by the desire to contribute to a just world.
- Theme 2: Activism as an autonomous choice for identity exploration and expression.
- Theme 3: Activism fostering a sense of connection with others.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent climate activism satisfies developmental motives: contributing to justice, autonomy, identity expression, and connection.
- Findings inform strategies to support adolescent engagement in addressing societal challenges.
- Highlights the role of developmentally salient motives in pro-environmental behavior.
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