The life we live here

Conversations about climate change and the green transition

This study builds on more than 200 doorstep interviews in structurally challenged rural communities in Sweden. It provides a unique illustration of people’s views on climate change and the green transition.

People lack opportunities to adapt their lives to the demands of rapid climate transition, not least since the communities in which they live struggle with structural challenges such as demographic decline, the withdrawal of commercial and social services, and lack of investment in infrastructure.

Our interviews confirm findings in other studies that there is a lack of spaces for dialogue on how the climate transition should take place at the local level. People want to be part of conversations about the future. This involves making room for uncomfortable stories of grief and loss, as well as creating space for dreams about the future and faith in people’s ability to reshape their lives. In this way, climate policy can gain support from the grassroots level.