“Systems Change Not Climate Change”: Support for a Radical Shift Away from Capitalism at Mainstream U.S. Climate Change Protest Events

Abstract

Social movements and academic research debate about how to address climate change. One such debate asks whether climate change should be addressed by new policies and technological innovation within the existing economic system or if it requires a more fundamental change to the system. How much do mainstream climate change protestors support a radical shift away from capitalism to address climate change? Using original survey data collected during major U.S. climate change movement events, I examine the individual-level predictors of protestors’ support for a radical shift away from capitalism and the demographics of mainstream climate change protestors.