Protect the Forest at a major climate demonstration in Stockholm

On the weekend of August 22nd and 23rd, thousands of people are demanding a sustainable future and more ambitious climate policy in a 24-hour manifestation at Sergels torg in Stockholm, which ends with a climate demonstration that gathered over 50,000 participants. Protect the Forest is involved to highlight the role of forests for the climate and biodiversity and to demand a sustainable forest policy.

What does a sustainable future look like in 2045? The Rebel Mothers and the Researchers Desk have gathered many organizations in a future village on Sergels torg on Saturday to show that a sustainable transition is possible. Between low-tech solutions, repair cafés, thinking tents and pennant workshops, there is also the forest. Protect the Forest’s local group in Stockholm, the Rebel Mothers for the Forest and Amnesty Sápmi show a vision of a sustainable future without clear-cutting, where endangered species recover in long-term protected primeval and natural forests, where reindeer find enough grazing and monocultures have been replaced by close-to-nature forestry.

To get there, both will and knowledge are needed. Visitors are invited to write what the forest means to them – “Mushrooms.” “Life.” “Diversity.” “Everything”. With three decks of cards of varying difficulty, both children and adults can test their species knowledge and learn more about the forest’s many species. With a mug of coffee with coffee cheese in hand, you get to figure out a quiz about why the forest is important to the Sami people. Our members answer questions and give tips on further reading for those who want to know more.

The forest also takes place on stage. Forest researcher Jeannette Eggers criticizes how forests are regarded only as a resource and highlights the forest’s many values. Protect the Forest’s project manager and international coordinator Lina Burnelius describes that this election is a Forest Choice that will determine the future of the forest, the climate and biodiversity in Sweden. Bilal Chebaro presents the exhibition Forest – diversity or simplicity , which is shown at Raoul Wallenberg’s square in Stockholm.

The next morning, the program continues in Vasaparken ahead of the big climate demonstration. Kommando Nutcracker plays songs about the forest, Kör för alla sings and finally Greta Thunberg gives an incendiary speech about climate and justice. With the atmosphere at its peak, tens of thousands of people line up on Dalagatan, including Protect the Forest’s members from different parts of the country.

The demonstration train will be so long that the front of the train arrives long before the back of the train has started to leave – over 280 organisations are represented, ranging from environmental and climate organisations to scientists, trade unions and outdoor organisations. Some come dressed as forest creatures or insects, others hold signs calling for the climate crisis to take the climate crisis seriously. When the last demonstrators have reached Gustav Adolfs torg, it is clear that over 50,000 participants have gathered to demand better climate policy.

A strong majority of Swedes want to see a more ambitious climate policy , and this has never been as visible as it was today. Now the politicians must listen.