Student climate strikes are pointless: poll

Greta Thunberg’s climate crusade has not been embraced by most Czechs, according to new research.

Most Czechs think climate strikes do not have any significant impact and only one-tenth of people know what the strikes are actually addressing, according to a Public Opinion Research Centre (CVVM) poll.

Despite the skepticism of Czechs, a large majority welcomes young people’s interest in environmental protection.

Student protests known as Fridays for Future, mostly attended by high school students, aim to promote better climate protection.

Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist started the protests a year ago. They gradually spread around the world, including the Czech Republic.

Most Czechs – nearly three-quarters – have heard of these protests, but only 12 percent of people think they know what the strikes are about. However, according to the CVVM poll, two-thirds of Czechs are confident that the strikes can cause either no change or just a little change.

The poll shows more people are against the protests than in favor of them, with about 43 percent of respondents not approving of the strikes while 42 percent of people support the protesters.

The majority of people, over 70 percent, do not agree with the strikes taking place during the time when students should be at school.

Climate activists also find little support among people over the age of 45, people with secondary and lower education, and those who do not use the Internet.

Despite the contradictory views from Czechs regarding the ongoing protests for climate protection, almost all respondents support the interest of students in this topic. Young people’s interest in environmental and climate change issues is important for nearly 90 percent of the survey participants.