“Listen to the science!”—The role of scientific knowledge for the Fridays for Future movement

The Fridays for Future movement (FfF) has drawn a lot of public and academic attention in recent years. So far, studies investigated the organization, mobilization, motives from different perspectives as well relevance science FfF. Mostly an external point view researchers looked at types communication its reception by audience (i.e., framing theory). In this paper, we combine theories with resource mobilization approach social thereby develop theoretical framework analysis use scientific knowledge climate movements. We focus on theory (RMT) notion activists alternative communicators. RMT emphasizes role resources organization to explain success Specifically, regard legitimacy moral analyze importance FfF political movement. argue that like relies which serves when refer it legitimate their claims. Empirically, draw survey more than 500 Germany, was conducted mixed method study 2020 2021. Our objective is close gap inner perspective. Following research question “How why being used mobilize people?” findings indicate rather strategic end itself within Unsurprisingly, see individual corresponds belief should include general strategy Moreover, our data show overwhelmingly derive goals reject idea could be imprecisely just instrument attain goals. These learnings shed light whether movements