Environmental Change (TEMAM)

Tema M – Environmental Change is a platform for highly topical, problem-oriented and critical interpretive environmental research and education. At a time when almost the entire nature bears traces of human activity, the state of the environment is strongly linked to the development of society. Today, environmental problems are no longer perceived as ‘problems in nature’ but also as complex social problems that set new standards for scientific breadth, integration and problem-solving.

Environmental Change meets this challenge through a strong combination of analysis traditions and methods for natural science, social sciences, and the humanities. Among these included are analysis of biogeochemical processes and material flows, policy studies developed in close collaboration with user groups, as well as analytical studies of ideas and debates within the environmental and climate field. By promoting interdisciplinary cooperation in the borderland between these different analytical traditions, Tema M ensures that environmental change as a concept, process and political point at issue is not taken for granted but instead subject to constant review and transparency.

Tema M builds on a strong tradition of interdisciplinary environmental studies that have permeated the unit since 1980 and the Center for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR) since 2004. At Tema M, these studies are further developed and profiled in relation to contemporary environmental science and environmental policy development.

Strategic Research Areas

A park bench in water.
Pixabay

Climate Change

We study challenges posed by climate change, their implications around the world and actions that could lead to fossil free societies that are robust to the effects of climate change.

Insjö skog around.

Contaminant and Element Cycling

We study natural and human-induced changes using observational, experimental and modeling approaches. From major and trace elements to contaminants, we focus on biogeochemical processes driving their distribution and cycling in ecosystems.
People holding up signs.
Pixabay

Knowledge politics and communication 

We study how knowledge about current environmental and developmental challenges is represented, legitimized, problematized and made sense of in education, research practices, media and policy processes.

Lab environment.
Anna Nilsen

Earth resources 

We study challenges associated with sustainable use and management of resources with focus on waste, water, land, ecosystems, nutrients as well as renewable energy. We co-create knowledge through interactions with societal actors to assess and develop processes, technologies, analytical tools, and frameworks.  

Research Project

Stones at the Swedish westcoast.

Just transformation: The places, politics and ethics of fossil free society

In 2017 the Swedish Parliament adopted a new climate policy framework that lays the foundations for an ambitious decarbonization of all sectors in Swedish society. The aim is to turn Sweden into the first fossil-free welfare state by 2045.

a man in a suit walks in the forest.

GROWL: Greening of Working Life

To reach Sweden’s political climate goals, working life needs to undergo a transformation. This research program focuses on people, organizations, and policies in the green transformation in industry and forestry.

A number of hands holding up a globe.

Experiencing personal sustainability and climate transformations – techniques and practices for narrating the interconnected self.

What motivates individuals to engage in personal sustainability transformations? This project asks: what is needed for a transformative change of perspective to take place?

Publications

Latest publications

2024

Myanna Lahsen (2024) Media Reform as Transformation Tool: A Hegemonic Gap in Environmental Research and Policy International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society Continue to DOI
Marie Francisco (2024) Correction: Artificial intelligence for environmental security: national, international, human and ecological perspectives (vol 61, 101250, 2023) Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Vol. 67, Article 101426 Continue to DOI
Polina Skvortsova, Iryna Ablieieva, Karin Tonderski, Yelizaveta Chernysh, Leonid Plyatsuk, Iryna Sipko, Hanna Mykhno (2024) Synergetic Effect of Digestate Dissolved Organic Matter and Phosphogypsum Properties on Heavy Metals Immobilization in Soils Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol. 11, p. H9-H20 Continue to DOI
Yelizaveta Chernysh, Viktoriia Chubur, Iryna Ablieieva, Polina Skvortsova, Olena Yakhnenko, Maksym Skydanenko, Leonid Plyatsuk, Hynek Roubík (2024) Soil Contamination by Heavy Metals and Radionuclides and Related Bioremediation Techniques: A Review Soil Systems, Vol. 8, Article 36 Continue to DOI
Naghmeh Nasiritousi, Alexandra Buylova, Mathias Fridahl, Gunilla Reischl (2024) Making the UNFCCC fit for purpose: A research agenda on vested interests and green spiralling Global Policy Continue to DOI
Erik Glaas, Mattias Hjerpe, Sofie Storbjörk (2024) The 2021 extreme rainfall in Gävle, Sweden: impacts on municipal welfare services and actions towards more resilient premises and operations Hydrology Research Continue to DOI
Maria Jernnäs (2024) The nationally determined contribution (NDC) as a governing instrument: a critical engagement Environmental Politics Continue to DOI
Magnus Gålfalk, Soren Nilsson Paledal, Johan Yngvesson, David Bastviken (2024) Measurements of Methane Emissions from a Biofertilizer Storage Tank Using Ground-Based Hyperspectral Imaging and Flux Chambers Environmental Science and Technology Continue to DOI

News

News

Decomposed leaf.

The reaction explaining large carbon sinks

A mystery has finally been solved. Researchers from LiU and Helmholtz Munich have discovered that a certain type of chemical reaction can explain why organic matter found in rivers and lakes is so resistant to degradation.

The astronomer who turned his eyes towards Earth

Magnus Gålfalk was ten years old when he became fascinated with space. His doctoral thesis was about how stars are formed. But now he is doing climate research at Linköping University instead.

Preem's refinery in Lysekil.

The canaries of climate transition

Lysekil, Luleå and Slite. Three locations where the demands for transition to a fossil-free society have upended people’s lives. For several years now, researchers from Linköping University have studied the residents’ stories.

PhD Programme

Education

Contact

Staff

Staff

Visit us in Tema Building, Campus Valla

Postal adress
Linköping University, Department of Thematic Studies/Environmental Change, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden

Organisation