Huts are nature’s worst nightmare, believes Johansen. A little over two weeks ago, he came out in an article in news with this story. Afterwards, he has received over a thousand statements of support from people of all ages, he says. Johansen receives support from deputy mayor Stine Akre (SV) in Trysil, who read the case. In September, she went out on news and proposed to step on the brakes in Trysilfjellet. – We need a diversity of voices and that many people get involved. Many people probably feel that cabin construction is actually the biggest danger to biodiversity, she says. I want more people to get involved – I have been inundated with statements of support from all over the country. There are many who think the same, but I think it is a big challenge for people to say it out loud, says Johansen. – What do you think about the response you have received? – It is very pleasant to hear that I am not alone. Many people say I am brave, I see that as a symptom. If it is brave to say what one thinks, then I have a bigger social problem. It should go without saying that one should be able to do that. In the past, he has been asked to shut up when he has spoken negatively about cabin construction. Now the pipe has a different sound – and Johansen encourages more people to get involved. These are just some of the statements of support Bjørn Henrik Stavdal Johansen received after he spoke out against cabin building. Johansen received over 1,000 inquiries after the case was published. More people should speak loudly about issues they are committed to, believes Johansen. – The more people who get involved, the easier it is to see that more people stand for the same thing. Alone, I will be a small voice, but if everyone who supported me had said it out loud, my tiny beep would have become a roar. Johansen believes that it is difficult for many to speak out against cabin construction. Photo: Vilde Jagland / news – What do those who have contacted you say? – In general, people say that it is bad how it has turned out, that easy capital overrides other values and that some municipalities saw the idea of constant growth leading to well-being and nature. – Needs a diversity of voices Akre also received a lot of positive feedback afterwards. – Including from my own neighbors and from cabin owners who are also concerned that we should not destroy more nature, she says. Fair enough, she also experienced harsh criticism from both developers, landowners and others. Deputy mayor Stine Akre (SV) believes there are enough cabins in Trysilfjellet now and wants to step on the brakes. Photo: Frode Meskau / news – I got a lot of relatively unpleasant attention on social media. Criticizing one of the pillars of the local community that cottage construction represents, and saying that now is enough, there is not much room to always mean it. Johansen believes the state should take over responsibility for the cabin construction. Akre is not in agreement. – We must win this match locally. Land management must be as close to people as possible. But perhaps we should have national guidelines on how big cabins can be or how much emissions they can have. – Should be far more restrictive The Green Party (MDG) is among the parties that want more government restrictions, including by introducing a national maximum limit for cabin size. They also want to densify already existing areas rather than build new ones. – There are municipalities that have already introduced a maximum limit and have had positive experiences with this. We have not specified a figure for this maximum limit, but it is important to reduce the environmental footprint of the cabins, says party leader Arild Hermstad in MDG. Party leader Arild Hermstad in MDG wants stricter restrictions on cabin construction. Photo: Håkon Eliassen / news – Won’t it be a major intervention in the local self-government? – Our entire cabin policy is based on the fact that we are forced to put our foot down for further expansion of cabins in Norway. Norwegian municipalities have allowed too much pre-owned property, which is a major threat to vulnerable nature. He is not adverse to the idea of letting the state take over the responsibility for building the cottages. – In principle, I think it would solve a lot. Then you avoid the municipalities competing against each other to lay out new areas. I still do not think that the state should take away from the municipalities all autonomy in this area, but the state should have far stricter restrictions and be tougher with the municipalities about what should be legal. Hello! So good that you took the time to read this case. Some time ago, news asked for input on things I should do. Several of them built cabins and cared for nature. That is why I have prepared this case. Do you have any suggestions for something else I should write about? Please contact!
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Bjørn Johansen received over a thousand declarations of support when he spoke against the development of cabins – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
