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Björn Wiman: In Sweden, Ulf Kristersson Remains with Soup Thirst
🇸🇪 Sweden /Environment & Climate

Björn Wiman: In Sweden, Ulf Kristersson Remains with Soup Thirst

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • Thousands marched in Stockholm demanding more ambitious climate policies, criticizing the Swedish government's actions.
  • The author contrasts the current climate activism with the past, referencing a 1966 demonstration and a critique of "transportable consciences."
  • The article argues that hope is an active process, created through collective action, and encourages participation in climate activism despite potential repercussions.

Thousands marched through Stockholm this weekend, demanding a more ambitious climate policy and criticizing the current Swedish government's "systematic sabotage." The demonstration, organized by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation and over 200 other organizations, highlighted a growing public concern over climate inaction.

Swedes have the world's only transportable consciences, they travel around as professional moralists.

— An AmericanA critique of Swedish engagement in international activism, recalled by author Per Olov Enquist.

Author Björn Wiman draws a parallel between the current climate movement and historical instances of civic engagement, referencing writer Per Olov Enquist's experience during the 1966 civil rights demonstrations in the United States. Enquist grappled with the question of genuine solidarity versus performative activism, recalling a critique of Swedes possessing "the world's only transportable consciences," traveling as professional moralists. This reflection, captured in Enquist's "Legionärerna," explored themes of engagement, civic conscience, and perseverance.

Wiman notes a significant shift since Enquist's time. While in the 1960s, participation in demonstrations was largely consequence-free, today, individuals can face job loss for joining climate organizations like "Rebellmammorna" (Rebel Mothers). Journalists reporting on the climate crisis face threats and harassment, and the Swedish Prime Minister has controversially compared climate activists to "totalitarian forces."

Come along, for God's sake, you don't have to be afraid! Come now, you damn cowardly pigs, don't just stand there gawking, you'll keep your jobs even if you come along!

— A man in a demonstrationA quote from Per Olov Enquist's work, illustrating a call for active participation in social movements.

Despite these challenges, Wiman suggests that participants in the climate march are driven by a genuine desire to act. He posits that hope is not a passive emotion but an "active action," cultivated through movement and collective effort. The core message echoes Enquist's call from a demonstration: "Come along, for God's sake, you don't have to be afraid! Come now, you damn cowardly pigs, don't just stand there gawking, you'll keep your jobs even if you come along!" The article emphasizes that the most impactful action an individual can take is to cease being solitary and join collective efforts.

The most important thing one can do as an individual is, as is well known, to stop being an individual.

— Björn WimanWiman's concluding thought on the power of collective action in addressing the climate crisis.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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