Young cosmopolitans and environmental politics: how postmaterialist values inform and shape youth engagement in environmental politics

Many of today’s young people are politically engaged and increasingly supportive progressive political causes. This is most evident in the youth leadership Green wave environmental activism that gathered momentum 2019. However, we know surprisingly little about values drive this mobilisation. In article, investigate link between emergence ‘young cosmopolitans’ as a force. Using data from 2017 European Values Study, analyse views 1,546 18-25-year-olds across ten established democracies. We find postmaterialist values, cosmopolitan attitudes engagement politics closely connected; cosmopolitans very civically active; and, activists particularly likely to be female with high educational attainment levels. Conversely, significant minority (disproportionately male lower attainment) more materialist nationalist. discussion, explore role education need re-think climate emergency locally – connecting threats environment challenges face their everyday lives. also explain how persistence amongst younger generations through Great Recession, suggests will continue post COVID-19.