War in Ukraine, war in Gaza, storms and floods, galloping prices and ever-increasing interest rates. There was a part that was not great about 2023. But then it is often the case that it is the dramatic news that steals the attention. Bård Vegar Sohjell is director of Norad. Last autumn, he was allowed to extend his term as head of the company. – The overall impression is governed by some dramatic setbacks instead of the big picture – which is often progress, says director of Norad, Bård Vegar Solhjell. Norad works with development work on behalf of the government. Although Solhjell believes that the world has taken some steps back in the last two or three years, there is still a lot of positive things happening. These are seven of the most positive things that happened in 2023, according to Norad and director Bård Vegar Solhjell. The countries of the world agreed on a transition away from oil and gas Cheers erupted in the hall when the countries of the world agreed on a declaration that obliges them to phase down the use of fossil fuels. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide believes that history was made when the agreement was signed. In the agreement, the countries have agreed to contribute to gradual cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050 there must be net zero emissions of CO₂ – There were two parts of the agreement that I think were important. One was the transition away from oil and gas. The second was that they managed, in a fairly short time, to fill up a fund with money to help countries affected by climate change, says Solhjell. The UN climate chief, Simon Stiell (tv), COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber and chief negotiator for the Emirates, Hana Al-Hashimi after the text was hammered out. Photo: Peter Dejong / AP Solar energy revolution in Africa It has become much cheaper to develop solar energy. This is great news for Africa. Several hundred million people lack electricity. – I don’t think I know of anything where the distance between potential and reality is greater than here, says Solhjell. Now energy experts believe that Africa is on the threshold of a “solar energy revolution”. In South Africa, the number of solar cell installations has increased by 349 per cent in one year. Across the continent, it is expected that 250 per cent more solar systems will have been built by 2027. – There are two reasons why it is important. One is climate. But the second is that approximately 600–700 million people do not have access to electricity at all, says Solhjell. Solar energy gives people electricity, costs little to produce, creates jobs and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. FROM THE AIR: A huge solar power plant is under construction here in the Sahara desert. The power plant will cut Morocco’s emissions of CO₂ by 760,000 tonnes a year. Photo: Eivind Molde / news Progress in the fight against tropical diseases In 2023, a new vaccine against malaria came out. This vaccine is much more effective at preventing malaria in children than previous vaccines. It is also easier to make and cheaper. The vaccine means that millions of young people will get better protection against one of the world’s biggest killers of children, the malaria mosquito. – Malaria is an extremely unfair disease. Almost only children under the age of five in Africa die of malaria, says Solhjell. There are also far fewer people who need treatment for tropical diseases. These are viruses, bacteria, parasites and toxins that cause dengue fever, leprosy, rabies, scabies and Chagas disease. During the last ten years, there has been a decrease of around 25 per cent requiring treatment for these diseases. Malaria is the disease that takes the most children’s lives in the world. Photo: AP Recaptured village gets new school A recaptured village outside Kyiv in Ukraine has regained some normalcy in everyday life. Thanks to money from Norad, the village’s school has been rebuilt and the children have returned to school. Solhjell visited the school in 2023. – I must say that it made a huge impression. This was a town that the Russians held for a month and where the Russian soldiers moved in and used the school as their residence and base. Solhjell says that there were craters from bombs and bullet holes around the school. But thanks to the money from Norway, parts of the school had now been rebuilt and taken back by the children again. Photo: Espen Rasmussen / VG Farmers in Zambia are winning over the drought Many farmers experience more frequent extreme droughts that make it difficult to cultivate the land. Last year, poor farmers received help to build a simple, and cheap, irrigation system. “Drip irrigation” requires less water and less work than traditional irrigation. This system also helps to strengthen the position of women in society. In many places, they spend several hours a day fetching water. Now they can rather spend their time on school, education and paid work. Better rights for homosexuality in Nepal Not all places in the world are going the right way with the rights of women and homosexuals. Or human rights. But Nepal took a big step in the right direction when in November it approved a same-sex marriage for the first time. – It was a clear step forward similar to what we know from many western countries. I chose to include it because in many places in the world the fight for human rights is a bit of a shambles, says Solhjell. Less deforestation in the Amazon In 2023, the deforestation of the Brazilian part of the Amazon has been reduced by 50 per cent compared to last year. In Colombia too, deforestation has been reduced by 70 per cent during the year compared to the previous year. – We now see that the countries are introducing strict laws, that they are enforcing their laws, and that they are interested in providing financial support to indigenous peoples and small farmers and others who live in the forest areas and want to preserve them. In Africa, Congo, among others, has reduced deforestation considerably during the year. Preserving the rainforest is important for the world’s climate, many animal species and indigenous peoples.
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These are the seven best things that happened in 2023 – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
