Week 17: Russia back in the heat? NO!

At the beginning of April, Russia took over the presidency of the UN Security Council, which has been debated during the week. Picture shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, holding the chairman's baton. Photo: UN Geneva. Source: Flickr/Pxlfuel.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt and Nora Nattorp

Russia recently took over the presidency of the UN Security Council, and the country continues to seek new ways back into the international political arena, which has been debated on Swedish debate and editorial pages during the past week. Even 11-year-olds Murhaf Hamid's sale of Majblommor has been discussed in connection with Sweden's migration policy.  

May 2, 2023, Current debate

Food production is affected by climate change – wine and coffee in the risk zone

Climate change is forcing winegrowers in France to adapt to heat waves and drought. Photo: Jill Wellington. Source: Pixabay.

Of: Vendela Permat's Hammarbäck

Rising temperatures as a result of climate change affect food and food security throughout the world. Winegrowers in France are noticing the climate changes - and many have been forced to adapt their vineyards in order to maintain the same quality of the wine. - You are constantly worrying about what the weather will be like, says a wine grower to Utvecklingsmagasinet.  

April 3, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

Week 12: "Greta Thunberg and the other activists have a point"

Recently, the IPCC's new climate report was published, which shows the great need for rapid measures against climate change. That, and the environmental organization Aurora's lawsuit against the state, are two topics that have been debated over the past week. Photo: Anders Hellberg. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Nora Nattorp

The UN's climate panel has released a new climate report and the Nacka district court has issued a summons against the state after the environmental organization Aurora sued the state for a lack of environmental policy in November. There are two topics that have been discussed on Swedish opinion pages during the past week. Several debaters have also discussed the role of researchers in climate activism.  

March 28, 2023, Current debate

Climate organizations critical of trade agreements between the EU and Mercosur

One of Sweden's priorities during the EU presidency is to finalize a free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries in South America. But there is concern among climate and human rights organizations that increased trade between the parties will mean more devastation of the Amazon and increased risk of violations of indigenous peoples' rights. Photo: Tom Fish. Source: Pexels.

Of: Ida Eriksson Vanemo

The EU is in the final phase of a free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur- the countries of South America, after almost 23 years of negotiations. The agreement means reduced tariffs on trade between the countries, but several environmental and human rights organizations have criticized the agreement and believe that it could lead to increased devastation of the Amazon. 

March 21, 2023, Development magazine explains

Week 46: Debaters criticize Sweden's climate policy and new constitutional amendment

In connection with the COP27 climate meeting, several debaters criticized Sweden's climate policy. Photo: Tim Dennell. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sandra Duru and Vilma Ellemark

The UN climate summit in Egypt has raised questions about Sweden's climate policy and responsibility internationally. Several debaters also criticize the Swedish constitutional amendment on foreign espionage, which they believe makes it more difficult to review international collaborations. 

November 23, 2022, Current debate

COP27: Meaningful participation and lost opportunities

Future COPs, as well as climate conferences and UN conferences in general, must address the gap between policy and people on the ground, according to Melanie Ridout, who works as Global Sustainable Innovation Manager and Climate Resilience Lead at Läkarmissionen. Photo of Doctors for Extinction Rebellion during COP26 protests. Photo by: Melanie Ridout.

Of: Melanie Rideout

Climate change is the inevitable culmination of the bad decisions we have made as a collective community. To address these challenges, we need to fundamentally change the architecture of our current system. That starts with ensuring meaningful participation, from the bottom-up, writes Melanie Rideout, Global Sustainable Innovation Manager and Climate Resilience Lead at Läkarmissionen (LM).

November 3, 2022, Debate, English