Eco-activists – climate protesters – are intelligent and educated. They are more switched on to climate change than most. Boris Johnson once described Extinction Rebellion eco-activists as “crusties”. He was being unfair. A recent analysis has shown that they are well educated and they have average-to-good salaries. A study from four universities surveyed more than 1000 people at a four-day protest in London in 2023.
It was the group’s first protest after they’d brought the capital to a standstill for weeks in 2019. They shifted to different methods to avoid disrupting the public. They seem to have garnered more sympathy. The study was led by Professor Claire Saunders of Exeter University. It found almost 20% of those at the event were attending their first climate protest.
The median household income of those attending the protest was estimated at £41,453. The UK average is £38,100. 70% of the protesters earned more than £80,000 per annum. The second largest group earned less than £30,000.
Saunders and her fellow scientists found that at least 85% of the protesters had a degree or they were studying for one.
Extinction Rebellion’s spokesperson said that the study showed that the group were moving in the right direction.
RELATED: Extinction Rebellion protestors are courageous and should be praised
