"As an argument, children are incredibly good, because we all agree that children should go first.
Maria Wolrath Söderberg is an associate professor of rhetoric at Södertörn University and researches the arguments we use when we want to do something harmful to the climate, such as flying. Or vice versa when we try to change our behavior for the better. She herself has both had grandchildren and made big changes in recent years.
"I've halved my emissions by, among other things, giving up flying and growing as much as possible of what we eat here on our farm in Västmanland. I thought it would be really hard, but giving up air travel has turned out to be a thing, and that's how I think a lot of people experience change.
The greater the internal chafing, the more likely the ability to act
The question that interests Maria Wolrath Söderberg the most is how we as humans can have so much knowledge and still not change our behaviour.
"Most people wouldn't dream of putting an old washing machine out in the woods, but when it comes to emissions, we carry on as if there is no tomorrow.
Have you found what leads to change?
"Most Swedes are major emitters globally, and when you see the true size of your own emissions, it often hurts and there is an internal chafing.
The more the inner chafing grows, the more likely we are to take action, she says, especially if we also feel fear and surround ourselves with people who are walking in the same direction.
"I actually think I see that something is happening now, that more people are getting involved, maybe we are getting to a social tipping point.
List: Three common excuses for climate-unsmart behaviors:
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In the clip: "I'm only human" and other excuses for behaviors that we know are bad for the climate. Photo: TT