A few short years ago, no one would have expected that a lone schoolgirl would go massively viral and inspire children across the world to protest climate change. But the fact that Greta Thunberg’s groundbreaking school strikes movement began in Sweden was perhaps less surprising. Björn Lundberg and David Larsson Heidenblad have studied the history of Swedish environmentalism, and say the country spent decades fostering proactive and globally conscious young activists. Back in the 1960s for instance, long before most people were thinking seriously about ecological damage, kids in Sweden invited politicians and industry leaders to an “environmental parliament”, where they demanded clean air and sewage treatment.

Today, Thunberg will join other young climate protesters to march on the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Oxford climate scientist Myles Allen has a message for them. In an open letter to the young people taking action, this leading expert admits that his generation has failed and that theirs can do better.

In the wake of Owen Paterson’s resignation as a Conservative MP, this explainer details the many twists and turns of the lobbying saga that unfolded at head-spinning speed yesterday. And following reports that Bosnia and Herzegovina is in a perilous position, we look at what’s behind fears that violence could break out again.

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