Climate activism surges during election years in Sweden

Climate activism in Sweden experiences significant surges, particularly during election years, as evidenced by a recent demonstration that drew over 50,000 participants. This pattern suggests a strategic engagement where citizens amplify their voices when political decisions are imminent.

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We in my generation have ridden on oil and had it good economically. And now perhaps it will all go to waste.

Magnus Wennerhag, a sociology professor at Södertörn University, notes that climate engagement has fluctuated since the late 1970s, with notable mobilizations in the early 1990s and again in the 2000s. However, the movement gained unprecedented momentum with Greta Thunberg's school strike for climate, which began before the 2018 election and resonated globally in 2019. This wave was characterized by its focus on youth and the long-term impact of climate change on children.

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I will be dead before the climate crisis fully hits, but we feel we want to do something for the grandchildren.

Many older Swedes, like 88-year-old Åsa Sohlman, are joining the cause, driven by a sense of responsibility towards their grandchildren. Sohlman, who joined the organization Grand Panthers twelve years ago, stated, "I will be dead before the climate crisis fully hits, but we feel we want to do something for the grandchildren." This intergenerational concern highlights a powerful motivator for sustained activism.

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It was the way they packaged their opinions, that it's about young people, that children are a particularly important group because they will live longest with the effects of climate change.

While the pandemic disrupted large-scale gatherings, and many from Thunberg's generation have since graduated, new forms of activism are emerging. Per Adman, a lecturer at Uppsala University researching climate engagement, believes the recent demonstration could signal a new wave. This movement appears to be driven by adult-led organizations, such as Rebellmammorna (Rebel Mothers), indicating a broadening base and potentially more diverse strategies beyond school strikes.

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What I know was completely unique in the climate issue. As it began to grow, the adult world and politics were forced to react.