Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

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This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a Conversation with History. I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today is Dr. Lars-Erik Liljelund, who is Director General of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

1. Background ... mother's interest in international affairs ... early love of nature ... choosing biology ... consulting government on acidification ... scientist vs. government official
2. Combining Science and Policy ... policy depends on good science ... European approach to environmentalism ... conservation and protection
3. The Problem of Climate Change ... unique nature of the problem ... individual citizens ... market-based approach ... carbon tax ... educating the public ... deep impact on lives of individuals ... transportation
4. The Swedish Response ... levels of government ... societal consensus ... Gallup study of public concern about climate change ... educating the "sleeping activists" ... youth education ... new patterns of communication among youth ... Scandanavian environmentalism ... Swedish Society for Nature Conservation ... synergy between government and NGOs ... Sweden and the European Union ... the EEB ... false dichotomy of environmentalism vs. economic growth
5. The Role of Business ... high degree of cooperation ... press scrutiny ... corporations in multinational partnerships ... Ikea's low-key approach ... market-based incentives ... carbon trading ... government investment in green technology
6. The International Response ... need more than technological solution ... need U.S. to acknowledgement of the problem ... need new approaches to development ... cooperation ... creating space for other's development ... role of scientists in alerting the public ... biodiversity and Arctic early warnings ... scientific legitimacy
7. Finding Solutions ... need for sociological support ... interdisciplinary study ... help from humanists and sociologists ... the fun of governmental work ... one planet strategy

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