Ontological insecurity and urgency as a political value: Discourses of youth climate activists in Portugal

As seen in other countries, Portuguese youth have been inspired by Greta Thunberg and her actions, which has led to protest marches, sit-ins, blockades and other forms of manifestations calling for climate and environmental change, and a more sustainable future. The most noteworthy acts of mobilization came from the Fridays for Future initiative, a global youth movement involving student school walkouts and strikes. Based on recent research carried out in Portugal, this article focuses on young climate activists. Through data collected via in-depth interviews, we focussed on the discourses of these activists to understand the motivational drivers behind their actions. The interview analysis reveals, on the one hand, a growing sense of ontological insecurity and, on the other, urgency as a crucial element in their struggle. In this sense, urgency is converted into a political value, defining a timeframe for political action, and contributing to the construction of mobilization discourses.