Tropicana May-June 2023 #148 The Passion Issue

TROPICANA MAGAZINE
Clockwise from left:
The exterior of a house
in Germany with lush
greenery; About half
of Denmark’s energy
is sourced from wind
turbines; Norway is
boosting its financial
commitment to ocean
cleaning research;
An urban garden in
Sweden
Norway
Norwegian culture is ingrained with a commitment to sustainability. In fact, they have made it a
priority to change their eating and purchasing habits in order to better the world. This country
of more than five million people has made great progress in raising its standard of living while
reducing environmental impact. The nation’s legislature has made a commitment to eliminate
all carbon emissions by the year 2030, which is many years earlier than the majority of other
countries’ goals. Composting is a component of one of the most effective recycling systems in
the world, which can be found in Norway. Because of its typically wet environment, Norway uses
hydropower for around 90 percent of its electricity output, a system that functions very well in the
country. Since the level of pollution in the ocean continues to rise, Norway is boosting its financial
commitment to research into ocean cleaning. Yet another reason why Norway is a green country is
due to its eco-friendly transportation. Trains and ferries connect Oslo with major European cities
such as Denmark and Stockholm, eliminating the need for air travel, which contributes to global
warming, pollution and leaves a huge carbon footprint.
Sweden
In 1995, Sweden became one of the first countries in the world to introduce
a carbon tax. An excise tax is levied on carbon-intensive fuels such as oil and
natural gas, and has heavily reduced the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Establishing a carbon tax is a cost-effective strategy towards minimising CO2
emissions. By 2045, Sweden will have cut between 85 percent and 100 percent
of its carbon emissions. More than half of the energy usage is produced by
renewable sources. Sweden has also cut its emissions through the use of
electric buses, smart roads, and urban farming and gardening. Sustainability
has also been accomplished by the implementation of food banks, recycling
systems, gender equality and housing for vulnerable people. Interestingly, the
Swedish university city of Vaxjo, which bills itself as Europe’s greenest city,
and received the European Green Leaf Award in 2018 for its dedication to
sustainable development, aspires to be fully fossil fuel free by 2030. Vaxjo’s
green approach began in the 1970s, when the city decided to restore its
contaminated lakes. This happened at the same time during the 1970s oil
crisis, which spurred the municipality to explore for a replacement for district
heating powered by oil.
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