I asked Greenpeace volunteers to define activism. Here’s what they said.

Dramatic and disruptive protests often hit the press and capture a snapshot of what being an activist means. But activism includes many types of action, whether you call yourself an activist or not. Here are six ways Greenpeace volunteers approach it.

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Picketing, protesting and khadi cloth were just some of the things that landed my grandfather in prison at the hands of the British empire.

He and his friends were followers of Gandhi, and they spent at least 21 years using peaceful methods to resist British rule, until the partition of India in 1947. They bought land together, grew food, spun and wove cotton khadi, sold goods to counter British imports, and picketed and protested as part of their resistance. Added together, he spent around three years in prison for his activism.

My grandfather’s story echoes those of others who’ve fought hard for a different future. Whose activism pushes for justice and equity for marginalised groups. Yet, while his story fascinates, it haunts me too. The courage to take action in such a direct way evades me – despite it being in the blood.

‘Activist’ has never felt like a label I can claim, or even pulled to claim. Even though urgent action is needed for nature and its people. Even though there is huge public support for environmental activism. And even though taking action is a key ingredient for easing climate anxiety and bolstering hope too.

Since writing about environmentalism, I’m struck by how many pathways there are to taking action. We each have differences in our individual circumstances, skills and strengths that push us towards one approach or another.

The environmental movement has many roles and it needs all types of action too. Yes, direct action like marches and protests. And also: donating, volunteering, signing and sharing petitions online, lobbying your MP, leading the way through your job and much more.

To see how differently people approach it, I asked Greenpeace volunteers what activism means to them. Read on to discover their thoughts.

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“Seeking to persuade others to a particular point of view by various means.”

– Colin

Activism is spreading the word

Some channel their activism into spreading the word. Lots of ways were mentioned, like online activism and local campaigning. The point is to get the message to as many people as possible.

  • “The need to get the information over to those who should do something positive”
  • “Taking part in protests, using email, social media and protests to try and make changes”
  • “Actively drawing attention to a problem and demanding a solution”
  • “Activism is, to me, not synonymous with physical intervention; it can be vocal and written.”
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“Getting the message out there”

– Tony

Activism is doing what you can

For many, doing something in whatever way you can is the best way to begin. That could take lots of forms and you could start small. Share a petition, talk to a friend, write to your MP. Lots of people doing these things adds up.

  • “Taking action (in whatever form may be available to the activist) to bring about change for good or preventing change for bad.”
  • “Doing what I can to lobby MPs , spread the word by volunteering on stalls, signing and sharing petitions”
  • “Standing up to be counted, otherwise silence is taken as consent”
  • “To take active steps publicly to make my views known, raise awareness and encourage change”
  • “Standing up for your beliefs in whatever way you can: petitions, protests, lobbying, peaceful demonstrations.”
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“Considered action, involving a level of risk.”

– Janet

Activism is taking a risk

Of course, every movement needs those who can and will take big risks. And you also need people behind the scenes supporting them to make those actions happen. For some volunteers, this is the essence of what activism is.

  • “I accept that activism can mean, many things, to many people, but for me, activism means putting yourself on the line, physically, emotionally, intellectually, risking arrest and imprisonment.”
  • “Rattling cages to effect meaningful change”
  • “Fighting and campaigning for an environmental cause: no matter what the obstacles are.”
  • “Moving out of your comfort zone to stand up for what you believe”
  • Taking action and/or bearing witness to prevent something damaging from happening
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“Taking peaceful practical action towards a goal of changing policy or law in national/local government, from writing letters to demos/rallies, and perhaps direct action (e.g. locking on, etc)"

– Rosemary

Activism is speaking truth to power

Holding power to account is what activism is about too. That means challenging governments and corporations, and campaigning for change in policy or business practices.

  • “Creating pressure on The Powers That Be to effect positive change.”
  • “Standing up to the government and big corporations. People power!”
  • “Campaigning against large companies and governments to try and force them to change their bad ways.”
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“Actively challenging the establishment, government and business, to change their policies and behaviour in favour of protecting the planet, all people, nature and the environment”

– Lisa

Activism is building a community

Activism brings like-minded people together. It’s about working together as a group. That might mean sharing knowledge, resources, time and effort.

  • “Being with other people who are like-minded, and feeling like I’m doing something”
  • “Empowering younger generations to get involved”
  • “Activism means contributing to a group of people collaborating for change outside of the normal accepted routes offered to citizens.”
A group of six Greenpeace volunteers of different ages and ethnicities stand in the sunshine outside an ASDA supermarket. Smiling into the camera, they wear blue tshirts with 'End ocean plastics' slogans, and hold up campaign banners.

Greenpeace volunteers outside Asda supermarket with a sign reading “End Ocean Plastics”. For Earth Day in 2018, volunteers provided sustainably sourced recycled paper bags in local supermarkets to replace the single-use fruit and vegetable bags supplied. The aim was to show how easy it would be for major retailers to make small changes and start reducing their plastic footprint. © John Cobb / Greenpeace

Activism is finding what you can do

So far, I’ve not picketed like my grandfather did. But writing and making gives a route into action that I do take. No matter your contribution, you can find a part to play too.

Environmental and social justice needs all kinds of people. You might don the activist label, or you might not. What matters more is finding something that matches your skills, interests and capacity. Taking action is about what you can do – calling it activism is up to you.

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