Linnea Öhman is the new group leader for the Green Party in Skellefteå.
I meet Linnea Öhmanin the forest where the hundred-year-old aspens stand. On her back she carries her almost one-year-old daughter Tyra, who is clinging to her mother's hair. Their home is a stone's throw away, the farm that brought Linnea and her then-partner from Umeå to a place they had no connection to.
– We went to look just for fun, fell in love at first sight and went for it.
–She believes that the countryside and proximity to nature are the municipality's strongest assets in attracting more people to move here. It worked for her, and she decided to stay on the farm even after the relationship ended. Or, she made sure it turned out that way.
– I'm a good negotiator, she says with a laugh.
Linnea doesn't advertise where she lives. Not because she's worried, she says, but because she senses a certain disdain for politicians. In her experience, Green Party (Miljöpartiet) members are particularly vulnerable.
– Most people are nice, especially in politics. But I can sense that it's generally accepted among people to despise Miljöpartiet members. They 'bond' by making nasty jokes about Miljöpartiet members. It can be frustrating. We just want to save humanity from the impending climate crisis, Linnea says, chuckling a little before continuing.
– It's exhausting when our work is not respected. But it's also important to think about what we need to do to reach people better.
Linnea Öhman in the Jätteasparnas forest.
–Miljöpartiet has traditionally had more support from women than men, but Linnea believes she is seeing a change.
– Now even men want to talk to us. They've noticed what's happening with the climate, and they're starting to get really worried. The new technology, like electric cars and solar panels, may have increased interest and made us more 'man-friendly'.
Politics has been a part of Linnea's life for as long as she can remember. Her grandfather was one of the founders of the Christian Democrat Party (KDS), a party that initially played a prominent role in environmental issues. Linnea's parents are now out of politics, but when she was growing up they were both active members of the Christian Democrats.
– I remember when I was a child, and we were in the car, I often said, "Dad, can we talk about politics now?" It took a while before I dared to say that I had voted for the Greens instead of the Christian Democrats.
Linnea Öhman's parents were Christian Democrats when Linnea was growing up. "It took a while before I dared to tell them that I had joined the Green Party," she says.
Linnea has a hearty laugh, sometimes as a way of distancing herself from her earnestness.
– I thought early on that if we don't have a functioning planet, we can't solve any other problems. I don't know where that came from, but I still think the same way.
Linnea has been a local politician for six years. She used to co-lead Miljöpartiet with Hans Brettschneider, but now she will lead alone.
– I still feel like a bit of a child; the others are so experienced. But it's a privilege to do this. It means a lot, even on a personal level.
She gets serious and explains what she means.
– People like me, who worry about how the world is developing, need to do something concrete. I feel good about being involved and making a difference; it gives me hope.
Linnea Öhman believes that the proximity to nature is the municipality's strongest asset to attract more people to move here.
Are you hopeful?
– Oh, it depends on which day you ask. I'm really worried, but I wouldn't be in politics if I didn't feel hope. I wouldn't have the strength.
One person who doesn't have the strength is little Tyra, who is tired of being stuck on her mother's back. She's plonked near the blueberry bushes and soon has her mouth full of berries. Linnea says she and Tyra's dad met on a dating app and recognized each other from middle school.
– We checked each other out back then. I always thought he was so handsome, and I had to pinch myself when he and I turned into "us".
Linnea claims she knows how to relax, that she does it through gardening and exercise. She would also be a bookworm if it weren't for all the documents she has to read. Sometimes she feels there's a lack of understanding that local politicians have to work in their spare time.
– Many outsiders expect a lot and don't think about the fact that we have "regular" jobs. But it's incredibly wonderful to do what you're passionate about, and I wish more people would take that step.
How do you see political and personal responsibility in relation to the environment?
– Politics should create conditions so that we automatically make sustainable choices. And citizens need to show politicians that they want to contribute, because that's how democracy works. The problem is that the next generation doesn't have a voice yet.
Linnea tries to practice what she preaches, but some decisions are harder than others. One example was last summer, when her in-laws were celebrating their 70th birthday in Greece.
– We considered taking the train, but it became impossible, so we ended up taking the plane. We agonized over it! My sister had to compensate by using our electric car, we gave away insect-based dog food, we cut down on meat. I love to travel, but I think it's important to think about it. Flying is way too easy.
Linnea Öhman.
Linnea defends climate activism and draws comparisons with other movements that have driven change in society, such as the women's rights movement.
According to the UN, rapid and equitable climate change is part of international law and something that all countries must adhere to. If states don't take this responsibility, it's reasonable to protest.
But where do you draw the line? Is it justifiable to delay ambulances?
– Peaceful civil disobedience is part of the right to demonstrate, and as long as no one gets hurt, it may be right to break the rules. But I don't want to interfere in how activists work; my role is different and focuses on bringing about change through political decisions.
After the last election, Miljöpartiet gained several new members, and Linnea believes it's a protest against the government's environmental policies. She says that people are starting to wake up and now many feel that there's no time to waste.
Linnea sighs a little and picks up her child in her lap.
– I hope we solve all the problems before you grow up, Tyra. So you can read books in peace and quiet.
Linnea Öhman
Family: Partner Johan and daughter Tyra
From: Umeå, currently residing in Skellefteå
Current role: New group leader for Miljöpartiet in Skellefteå.
Curious fact: Has had gliding lessons and enjoys horse riding.
