Green politics facts for kids

Green politics is a way of thinking about how we should run our world. It became popular in the 1970s. Political groups and movements that follow these ideas are often called 'green'.

Green politics focuses on several key ideas:

• Protecting the environment: A main idea is that everything we do affects our planet's ecology. We need to protect nature. This means using technologies and ways of making things that are sustainable. Sustainable means they don't harm the Earth for future generations.
• Fairness for people: Green politics also cares about people. It focuses on making society fair for everyone. Many green ideas are about social justice, which means treating all people equally and helping those who need it.
• More democracy: Many green movements want more democracy. They believe decisions should be made by many people, not just a few leaders. This is called 'grassroots democracy'. It means actions need the support of most people.
• Peaceful solutions: Green politics supports non-violence. This means solving problems without fighting or hurting anyone.

Green political parties have been very successful in countries like Germany.

What Green Politics Is About

Caring for Our Planet

Green politics puts the environment first. It teaches us that everything we do has an impact on nature. This means how we make things, how we use energy, and even how we travel. The goal is to find ways to live that are sustainable. Sustainable living means we use resources wisely. We make sure there's enough for people in the future too.

Fairness for Everyone

Green politics is not just about trees and animals. It's also about people. A big part of it is social justice. This means making sure everyone is treated fairly. It's about helping people who are struggling. Many green ideas are considered left-wing. This means they support helping communities and making society more equal.

Power to the People

Many green movements want more democracy. They believe that decisions should be made by many people, not just a few leaders. This is called 'grassroots democracy'. It means that if a new plan or action is taken, it needs the support of most people. This helps make sure everyone's voice is heard.

Choosing Peace

Another important idea in green politics is non-violence. This means solving problems without fighting or hurting anyone. Green movements often use peaceful protests and discussions to make changes. They believe that peace is the best way to make the world a better place.

Images for kids

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  The four green pillars

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  The six guiding principles

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  Susan George (political scientist), who writes about social justice.

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  Saskia Sassen, who studies how people move between countries and how cities work.

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  A rally against nuclear power in Tokyo after the Fukushima disaster.

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  The sunflower is a symbol of green politics.

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  Ashok Khosla worked for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

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  Young European Greens protesting at a climate summit.

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  Bob Brown at a climate change rally.

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  Tim Jackson, who wrote about living well without endless growth.

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  François Bausch, who supports a tax on financial deals.

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  Paul Mason, who writes about future economies and basic income for everyone.

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  Serge Latouche, who talks about reducing how much we consume.

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  Michael Albert, who writes about how people can work together in the economy.

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  César Rendueles, who writes about shared resources and open information.

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  Antonio Negri, who writes about new ways of working.

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  Naomi Klein writes about capitalism and climate change.

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  Martha Nussbaum, who writes about animal rights.

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  Anna Grodzka, a Polish green advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights.