People need to realize how desperate the situation is,” says Ida Edling, a 24-year-old climate activist and lawyer who is one of the spokespeople for the Aurora case. The Aurora case involves 300 young people who have sued the Swedish state for its lack of climate policy. Edling, who wears a corn-blue suit, is disappointed with the politics of all parties, stating that “no one has done enough, but now it has only gotten worse.”
The Aurora case is based on the belief that the Swedish state is violating human rights by not doing its fair share in limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. The group chose to refer to the European Convention, as Dutch climate organizations previously won a similar case against the Dutch state using this reference. However, the Chancellor of Justice, who represents the Swedish state, objects to the lawsuit, arguing that it cannot be specifically said that young people are the most vulnerable and that the case should not be tried in court.
Edling finds it absurd that the state does not want to acknowledge that young people are the most exposed to the climate crisis. Despite the obstacles, she remains committed to the cause and is currently preparing a response to the objections raised by the Chancellor of Justice.
As an activist, Edling has faced hate and threats, although she believes her absence from social media has helped protect her from some of it. However, she acknowledges that hate and threats against climate activists are increasing, with an average of one activist being murdered every two days. Despite the risks, Edling sees the climate fight as a fight for social global justice, as marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis.
Edling is not afraid to express her anger and believes that people need to realize the desperate situation the world is facing. She criticizes the Swedish government for not inviting Aurora or any other youth organization to a recent climate meeting, stating that it is strange that organizations representing young people and vulnerable groups were excluded in favor of climate-damaging actors.
Regarding Sweden’s climate and environment minister, Romina Pourmokhtari, who uses her age to defend the government’s climate policy, Edling finds this argumentation disrespectful. She believes that if Pourmokhtari truly understood the impact of her policies on Sweden’s young people, she would pursue a different environmental policy.
As the Aurora case continues, Edling remains dedicated to fighting for a sustainable future and hopes that the Supreme Court will ultimately support their cause.