Just Ask the Swedes!

Looking to countries like Sweden, for example, they have shown great progress in both of these aspects when dealing with climate change. Where over 50% of their energy is generated using renewable sources (solar, wind, etc.), Sweden’s environmental commitments are exemplary. In the global scheme, they only produce 0.2% of all greenhouse gas emissions, yet they have initiated one of the most rigorous climate change remedial plans in the world. 

However, what makes Sweden successful in their environmental goals is their engaged population, high ambition levels ad international solidarity. Even when ranked as one of the most sustainable countries in a number of areas, their focus is not on what has been accomplished, but what has yet to be done!  Their population is keenly aware of and concurred with environmental issues and used to standing up for its own clean water and air.

The citizens of Sweden are well informed about the dangers of climate change, and care deeply about the protection of their air and water quality. In 2015, over 25% of their population said that climate change and environmental protection were their highest concern. This rate is impressive in comparison to just 6% across the board for other European countries. 

Citizen Engagement Techniques

So, what are some of the most effective ways to help people see why caring about climate change, energy efficiency, and environmental protection is important?  One of the most important ways, according to scientists and psychologists, is:

• Tell the story of climate change in a different way;
• Inspire people to take matters into their own hands through becoming more mindful of their lifestyles and where they may be able to improve their environmental footprint, through energy reduction, reducing their waste, or a combination of measures;
• Telling the story of climate change in a way that reduces the doomsday consequences of climate change;
• To educate people about their relationship with the planet;
• How they can look to our climate crisis as an opportunity to learn, and;
• To see the challenges of climate change as a way to expand economic development and improve global collaboration. 

 

Additionally, it is beneficial to offer the public simple, yet practical ways to reduce their personal carbon footprints.

Be it by changing their diets, shopping more locally, becoming more mindful of their energy consumption, or using reusable bags; it is normal for people  to feel less overwhelmed when they have small, yet effective ways to help.

As Sweden has done, offering businesses tax reductions and grant funding to produce climate action plans, has proven to be successful. The consequences of climate change can have large repercussions to businesses if they are not prepared for them, or do not collaborate with governments to see how they may assist in the fight against climate change. 

 

Thus, governments who offer tax reductions may find that with this extra help, businesses are eager and ready to develop energy reduction plans, implement better and more efficient technologies, monitor their waste management plans to more strict degrees, and other strategies. 

 

It may also be beneficial for governments to place energy advisors in every municipality to whom businesses and individuals can turn to with questions or concerns about energy efficiency, carbon emissions, etc. Sweden has one advisor for every municipality, totaling 290. 

 

It takes multiple sectors collaborating together to create the lasting and effective strategies that will best combat climate change. People and communities should not doubt the importance of their involvement. Governments must also provide programming support to educate communities, with locally-designed and delivered campaigns and messaging in inspiring ways that offer more doors for their citizens to choose which ways they would best like to be involved. Lastly, businesses may be incentivized through tax reductions for their work in reducing their large carbon footprints. Together, we may see a future where the majority of systems operate in a sustainable way. 

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Sources:

https://sweden.se/nature/sweden-tackles-climate-change/

https://e360.yale.edu/features/how_can_we_make_people_care_about_climate_change

https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonmainwaring/2018/10/25/why-and-how-business-must-tackle-climate-change-now/#536f7d6f4712