ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the development of Green parties and describes the growing environmental consciousness and the political situation in the Nordic countries. It presents the political and social context of the Green movement and parties in the Nordic countries. The environmental movement, which developed into electorally successful Green political parties in Finland and Sweden, was indeed seen as a useful contribution to environmental policy making at a time when ‘old politics’ did not convince a growing share of the population. Social scientists have tried to explain the emergence of the Greens by pointing to changes in social structures and values. The interest in protecting nature and national scenic views has a long history in the Nordic countries. In Denmark where environmental consciousness has been consistently high and the environment ranks high as a salient political issue, the Green party is poorly supported.
