A new survey from February shows that 6 out of 10 Norwegians think we allow too much development in Norwegian nature today. The survey was carried out by Ipsos on behalf of Norwegian Outdoor Activities among 1,088 people in weeks five and six. A stone quarry in a rock carving field in Bremanger has again sparked the debate about nature loss in the last week. From the lectern at the Storting, Alfred Bjørlo (V) compared municipal politicians with party-happy youth without adults present. This caused Minister Erling Sande (Sp) to rage. news has previously revealed that in the last five years 44,000 interventions have been made in Norwegian nature. Now the Norwegian people are really starting to see what is happening in nature, if one is to believe similar surveys that were done for Norwegian outdoor recreation in 2021 and 2023. Just since 2021, the number of those who think we have allowed too much development has increased by almost 20 percentage points to 64 per cent in 2024. The change from summer 2023 to 2024 amounted to an increase of 8 percentage points. – It is time to “pull the emergency brake” on behalf of Norwegian nature, says Storting representative Alfred Bjørlo (V). See more reactions below. Eivind Molde Truls Gulowsen, head of the Norwegian Nature Conservation Association The trend in these numbers agrees with our opinion, and I believe that recent cabin construction, wind power development and very large motorways for 110 have given the Norwegian people a rather abrupt awakening effect that things are not quite as they thought. was of Norwegian nature. Solid work by news with seas, forests and the supervisor has probably also contributed, and I hope that the party and politicians will now also change policy in line with public opinion and introduce a stricter nature policy rather than clinging to old myths that development requires deconstruction. Alf Simensen / NTB Marte Mjøs Persen (Ap), representative of the StortingI fully understand the concern that emerges in the investigation, and share that concern myself. Loss of biological diversity is one of the biggest environmental challenges today, in addition to climate change. The Labor Party believes that a sustainable use of the ecosystem is decisive for preventing climate change. Håkon Mosvold Larsen / NTB Olve Grotle (H), parliamentary representative The strong focus on the global nature and climate crisis naturally means that more and more people believe that too much nature is being built on. It shows that we are able to take on the great challenge of our time. At the same time, it is important to have fact-based and wise assessments when it comes to the use and change of nature, here taking into account the trade-offs between important nature and climate concerns and the need for viable local communities and businesses for land. In this assessment, it is also true that conversion to the green shift requires the use of natural resources, whether we are talking about renewable energy, minerals or other things. Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Alfred Bjørlo (V), representative of the Storting I am glad that the great majority of Norwegians are now sounding the alarm about the extensive and uncontrolled destruction of nature around the country. The Liberal Party believes that the time has come to “pull the emergency brake” on behalf of Norwegian nature – among other things by banning all felling of old-growth forest/natural forest, more protection of nature on land and at sea, and stopping the government’s plans to go wild on the sea depth also with mineral extraction at sea. In this matter, the major parties – Labor Party, Høgre, Frp and Sp – are simply on a collision course with both the Liberal Party and most people. Ahmad Dean Jenny Følling (Sp), mayor of SunnfjordI believe that the increased concern among Norwegians may be connected to the fact that there is increased attention and focus on the reduction of vulnerable nature. Over time, the greatest downsizing of vulnerable nature has occurred in the pressure area around the big cities, and development of four-lane motorways in parallel with railway development in central areas. This has led to enormous interventions in nature. It is then important that efforts are put in there and not wasted on areas where there is too little activity. Eivind Molde Per Skorge, Norwegian Forest Owners’ Association Degradation of nature produces large climate emissions and, in addition, there is less access to climate and environmentally friendly wood materials. About 6% of Norway’s annual climate emissions come from the destruction of forests and other nature. It is crucial to reduce the destruction of nature. Already built-up land must be put to better use than today. If, based on social considerations, forests must be built down, we believe that there must be a corresponding afforestation of overgrown areas. This can happen in a way that gives a varied forest. Bjørn Olav Nordahl Bjørnar Skjæran (Ap), representative of the Storting It is important to reduce degradation, especially of topsoil, but also of natural areas of important national and regional importance. At the same time, I would like to distance myself from the statements made by Alfred Bjørlo, where he refers to Norwegian local politicians in a derogatory manner. Responding with forest maps In a call from hundreds of researchers, among the leading forest researchers, the government has been asked to register and map the last natural forests during 2025. Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap) has now addressed this. to commission the Norwegian Environment Agency to create a public map of the old forest that has not been cleared. – The forests are habitats for 1,330 endangered animals, birds, plants and insects, and as many as 84 percent of these species are linked to old forests. We therefore need better knowledge of the oldest forest, says the minister. The map will be the first to give a comprehensive overview of natural forests in Norway and will be useful for forest protection work in the country. – Bravo, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen!, says leader Truls Gulowsen of the Nature Conservancy. – Good environmental news and a big thank you to all the 167 researchers who submitted a petition with demands for mapping, conservation and action, says head of WWF Norway, Karoline Andaur. From 2021 to 2024, the proportion who believe that too much is being developed in Norwegian nature has increased from 41 to 58 per cent. Photo: PER-KÅRE SANDBAKK / news Billion dollar investment in forests After strong pressure from the opposition, the government has also approved NOK 1 billion in investment in Norwegian forest protection. The EU has decided that forests and land areas must increase the absorption of CO₂ to 310 million tonnes by 2030. In addition, the state has protected 27 forest areas spread over eight counties. – Too much nature is being destroyed and about 6 percent of Norway’s annual climate emissions come from the destruction of forests and other nature, says managing director Per Skorge of the Norwegian Forest Owners’ Association. In a new map, the Norwegian Environment Agency will map natural forests that have not been cleared after approx. 1940. The first version is to be published as soon as possible and no later than the end of 2024. Photo: André Fagernæs-Håker / news Natur vs. growth Several district municipalities struggle with low population numbers and emigration, and are dependent on growth and new jobs. In Bremanger, where they have been given the green light for a new quarry, 18 children were born last year. New bottom record. – We will not say yes to everything, but we need growth, says Bremanger mayor Anne Kristin Førde (Ap). On the Aksla mountain peak in Bremanger, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has approved quarrying. Photo: Bremanger municipality A little further south in Sunnfjord municipality, the mayor points out that the biggest natural encroachments occur around the big cities. – It is important that efforts are put in there and not wasted on areas that are too little active, says Jenny Følling (Sp).
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More and more Norwegians are worried about the loss of Norwegian nature – news Vestland
