Week 15: Debaters disagree on the risks of AI development

The entrepreneur and Tesla founder Elon Musk, among others, has discussed a pause for the development of artificial intelligence - a discussion that Swedish debaters have also engaged in during the past week. Photo: Ted Conference. Source: Flickr.

Of: Ida Eriksson Vanemo

The technological development around artificial intelligence, AI, is moving forward at a furious pace – something that debaters regard as both positive and negative for global development. The climate issue and whether Sweden can achieve the climate goals have also been discussed during the past week.

April 17, 2023, Current debate

Week 14: Continued lively debate about Swedish climate policy

During the past week, the debate about Swedish climate policy has continued to occupy a large place among the debate and leader pages. Criticism has been directed at the government, the opposition, authorities and editorial boards. Photo: Unsplash.

Of: Cecilia Bergh and Ellinor Berglund

Climate policy has, as in previous weeks, continued to influence the Swedish opinion pages as well under the material moisture meter shows you the walked weekn. Among other things, the government has been allowed to continue harsh criticism from the opposition for not doing enough to reduce climate-damaging emissions. Also Dagens Nyheter's editorial staff, the Public Health Agency and the opposition have been criticized by this week's editorial writers and debaters.  

April 11, 2023, Current debate

Week 13: After critical climate report - debaters discuss Sweden's climate policy

Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokthari (L) last week received the Climate Policy Council's report - which disapproves of the government's climate policy and states that it is not sufficient for Sweden to reach the climate goals by 2030. The report has created major discussions on Swedish opinion pages. Photo: Hamid Ershad Sarabi/Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

On Wednesday last week, the climate and environment minister took Romina Pourmokhtari (L) against the Climate Policy Council's annual report for 2022. The report states that Sweden has lost control of climate policy. It has characterized the Swedish debate and editorial pages during the past week, where criticism has been directed at both the current and previous government.  

April 3, 2023, Current debate

Australia's new climate policy – ​​praised and criticized

Scientists as well as climate activists believe that Australia is in a climate emergency - and several actors criticize the country's government for a lack of action. Photo: John Englart. Source: Flickr.

Of: Signe Andersson

The consequences of climate change continue to affect Australia. The country has voted through its first climate change bill in ten years, but the law has been heavily criticized and is considered an ambitious but hollow proposal. Australia could take a much greater responsibility for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, say several actors. 

March 30, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

The deforestation of the Amazon breaks a new record

The Amazon rainforest is important for animals, plants and people - yet the deforestation of the rainforest continues at an ever faster pace. Photo: David Riano Cortés. Source: Pexels.

Of: Cecilia Bergh

The Amazon is the largest and most species-rich rainforest in the world. It is vital for animal and plant species, but also for humans. Despite that, the deforestation of the Amazon continues and in February the devastation hit a new record.

March 22, 2023, Development magazine explains

The government wants climate compensation abroad - to reach Sweden's climate goals

In the autumn's government declaration, climate compensation abroad was singled out as a priority in Sweden's climate work. But several experts are critical of this, and believe that it risks shifting the focus from efforts to reduce emissions. Photo: Goethe Institute.

Of: Ellinor Berglund

Sweden's government invests hundreds of millions in climate compensation, i.e. emission reductions abroad. This means that part of Sweden's climate goals may be met in countries such as Ghana, Nepal and the Dominican Republic. But several researchers and experts are critical, both in terms of climate benefit and ethics.   

March 17, 2023, Development magazine explains

Week 9: Debaters discuss support for Ukraine and Sweden's climate transition

During the past week, debaters have, among other things, propagated for increased EU support to Moldova, which is the country, outside of Ukraine, that is most affected by Russia's war of invasion. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Cecilia Bergh and Ellinor Berglund

During the past week, the focus has been on Ukraine among the majority of debaters on Swedish opinion pages. Sweden's climate transition and whether or not the obligation to reduce has also been discussed with clear differences in the opinions of the debaters.  

March 6, 2023, Current debate

Week 7: Debaters criticize the aid policy and lack of support for Syria

During the week, several debaters have pointed out the difficulties in getting help to people in north-eastern Syria who have been affected by the earthquake. Photo: Begum Iman, European Union. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sidra Amir

During the past week, writers on Swedish debate and editorial pages have both directed criticism at Sweden's aid policy and at the fact that aid does not reach those in need in Syria after the earthquakes. The Swedish environmental target system has also been the subject of debate. SD's environmental policy spokesperson calls it a "resource-demanding monster", while civil servant Magnus Eriksson highlights the strengths of the system.

February 21, 2023, Current debate

Independence from fossil fuels is crucial for human security

Nations today are faced with the Energy Trilemma; how to achieve energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability – at the same time. And transitioning towards renewable forms of energy is essential to achieve human security worldwide, according to Marie Stjernquist Desatnik at Naturskyddsföreningen (the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC). Image: A military attack on energy infrastructure. Photo by: Ecoaction.

Of: Marie Stjernquist Desatnik

The world's addiction to fossils fuel is the main contributor to the climate crisis, and it impacts peace and security worldwide. This was clearly demonstrated in 2022 by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But why is it so difficult for nations to move away from fossil fuels? Part of it can be explained by the so-called energy trilemma, according to Marie Stjernquist desatnik, Senior Climate Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservation Society (the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC). She argues That ttransitioning towards renewable forms of energy is essential to Achieve human security worldwide. 

January 17, 2023, English, Guest analysis, Guest piece, Magazine

You should know this ahead of Sweden's EU presidency

On 1 January 2023, Sweden takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The development magazine helps you figure out what that means. Photo: Christian Lue. Source: Unsplash.

Of: Elianne Kjellman

From 1 January 2023 and six months ahead, the Swedish government takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Some are hopeful and believe that the influential task will mean increased support for Ukraine, while others fear that it will be destructive to the EU's climate policy. The development magazine explains how the presidency works, and some things you should know to keep up with the debate on the subject. 

December 22, 2022, Development magazine explains