Amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic, social movements have had to shift their focus. Originally, Fridays for Future’s main actions were in-person marches and rallies drawing in enormous crowds. With social distancing guidelines, mask mandates, and slow vaccine roll outs, the movement has focused more on their social media presence and education regarding climate change. While Fridays for Future is not the only movement having to navigate the pandemic, it was uniquely poised for the transition to an online movement given its young membership. According to Pleyers, “national and international movement networks are actively engaging in sharing experience and analyses via online platforms and social media… [which] have been set up for grassroots movements from different continents to share experiences and analyses” (Pleyers 303). The pandemic has also highlighted the intersectionality of multiple social movements where the “the crisis reveals the deep social, political and ecological crises we face” (Pleyers 303). The pattern over the last year has shown that, similar to other illnesses, COVID-19 cases surge in the winter months and with it snowing as late as mid-April in parts of New England, the effect of climate change is far reaching. This current moment sees a downturn in the Fridays for Future movement, with less participation than seen before.

Looking to the future of the movement, however, is bright. The climate justice and equity Thunberg calls for is not new by any means, but to hear it coming from someone so young adds an extra layer of urgency. If the children of the world have taken notice of how pressing the issue of climate change is and have taken into account the ways to fix it equitably, why haven’t the politicians? This question lies at the heart of Thunberg’s activism and therefore at the heart of the Fridays for Future movement as a whole. Children internationally are calling for an overhaul in the rules used to govern and mitigate the effects of climate change. It is refreshing to see a movement built by and for young people gain such incredible traction. This movement’s most revolutionary potential is it’s room for growth and refinement as those involved age with it.