Opinion: Politicians must react to the massive climate demonstration

Filmmaker Pelle Mårtenson expresses dismay at the apparent lack of political attention to climate change in Sweden, particularly in the lead-up to an election.

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50,000 missed votes for the Tidö parties.

Writing as an opinion piece, Mårtenson recounts his experience attending a large climate demonstration where he observed "50,000 missed votes for the Tidö parties." He contrasts this significant public concern with the priorities he found on the website of the largest government party, the Moderates. Instead of climate action, their platform focused on issues such as raising the drinking age to 18, improving shooting ranges, and simplifying regulations for building lakeside saunas.

Mårtenson questions the relevance of these priorities when faced with the existential threat of climate change. "What use is a shooting range if you have no food on the table, no water in the tap, or a bearable climate?" he asks. He specifically challenges Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, asking who will be responsible for paying a potential 40 billion kronor EU penalty if Sweden fails to meet its climate targets.

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What use is a shooting range if you have no food on the table, no water in the tap, or a bearable climate?

The author emphasizes that the demonstration comprised "ordinary people, worried about the future," not an "elite" or "establishment." He urges politicians to acknowledge this widespread concern and address the climate crisis with the urgency it demands.

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But who will pay the EU's penalty of 40 billion kronor if we do not reach the climate goals? Are you taking this money out of your own pocket, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson?