Don't extinguish my fire – Understanding public resistance to a Swedish policy aimed at reducing particle emissions by phasing out old wood stoves

• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.113017
• Publication Date: 2022-05-21T16:36:34Z
• Authors: Anna Sahlberg; Bodil S.A. Karlsson; Jonas Sjöblom; Henrik Ström
• Keywords: Stove

Wood stoves emit particulate matter when used for domestic heating. Consequently, the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning in Sweden enforced a prohibition new installations old wood 2017 to protect public health. The caused backlash that organized itself as "wood stove rising", eventually leading cancellation legislation 2019. We performed comprehensive interviews with 11 signatories original appeal analyze underlying motives combating implementation this pro-environmental energy policy. find heating through fire-making is an age-old human behavior deeply connected several social emotional needs, but also survival remote areas cold climate. likelihood policy observance acceptance higher if not perceived being direct conflict these needs: basic emotion regulation, sensations tradition connection other people, means crisis management individual. protesters acted out sustainability perspective, albeit one where continued use functional devices was valued more than wear-and-tear replacing outdated technology.