Survey Reveals Rising Despair and Indifference Among Swedes on Climate Change
A new survey shows rising despair and indifference among Swedes regarding climate change, signaling a shift in public sentiment.
Key Points
- • 41% of Swedes feel despair over climate change, up from 18% in 2019.
- • 13% of Swedes are indifferent to climate change, marking a 5 percentage point increase since 2019.
- • Survey conducted by Verian with 1,000 interviews in May 2025.
- • Findings indicate a trend of 'climate fatigue' among the population.
A recent survey indicates a troubling shift in public sentiment in Sweden regarding climate change, highlighting a marked increase in feelings of despair and indifference. Conducted by Verian with the Sifo panel in May 2025, the survey involved 1,000 interviews, revealing that 41% of Swedes now express despair about climate change, significantly up from just 18% in 2019. This worrying trend points to what some researchers are calling 'climate fatigue' among the population.
Moreover, the survey noted that 13% of respondents currently feel indifferent towards climate issues, which reflects a 5 percentage point increase compared to four years ago. The findings suggest a growing disconnect among the public regarding climate action and the urgency of environmental challenges. Analysts stress that these sentiments could have serious implications for future climate policy and engagement in Sweden, as an increase in despair may deter proactive measures to combat climate change.
This data highlights a critical moment for climate discourse in Sweden, where public perception appears to be shifting increasingly towards pessimism.