In Sweden we got an election coming up within two weeks. For us wha care about the environment it is a interesting election because it is a lot of focus of the topic environment. But hand to heart, how much do we all care from a bigger perspective? We as abassadoers for the nature, do we really live as we learn. Maybe we should consider our own impression on the nature travel to our adventures..Do we live as minimalistic as we can. It might be time to find adventures in our own country, there is a lot to explore in Sweden ans Norway and it is accessable with train for example. With this topic in my mind I decided to discuss it with two well knowned personalities from Sweden, Ola Skinnarmo adventurer and Fredrik Sträng climber.
Sweden and Norway is fantastic, and it can be a climate-savvy choise.
Ola Skinnarmo about the environment..
Hello Ola, what are you up to now?
I have just returned from a guiding tour of Kilimanjaro, and soon I go to Svalbard with a new group. So that’s a lot going on.
How do you see trips and adventures linked to the fact that there is great focus and discussion about the environment right now?
-I think it is commendable to think of adventures in our vicinity, Sweden and Norway by train, for example. Clearly, the journeys we make by air are influenced, and it is important to consider climate compensation. Which, of course, I do. When it comes to trips to Svalbard, it’s very important for me to be its ambassador, to understand its potential. Flight affects a lot, but our everyday life affects more than ever. There we can do more everyone of us.
Introducing our election in Sweden in brief, how do you think we should think about it from an environmental perspective?
”I think all our politicians have a strange view of this with environmental politics. We have now had a government with the environmental party in charge for four years, and I find it hard to see that we have reached major climate gains. It has become cheaper to buy electric bikes, with a mountain of lithium batteries as a result in a couple of years. Maybe there would have been a price deduction on regular bikes instead? The environmental issue is an important topic, and I feel today that nobody grabs in a sensible way.
Fredrik Sträng Climber.
How do you intend to be an adventurer in terms of environment?
-First and foremost, I’m not an adventurer, I’m a climber. I can hold a long lecture about that distinction, but it’s about being athlete, measuring and comparing performance, etc. It’s a scientific thought behind it all. To primarily measure against others, to find new ways / solutions. Do not compete, but to improve and to develop. The secondary will then be to do something unique.
Ok, but as a climber then how are you thinking about the environment?
”I have chosen environmentally friendly electricity in my accommodation, I always compensate for my travels. I also ask for where this money goes. Solar and renewable energy in the third world is an example. I eat organic and controlled food. Choosing organic products, I do not eat very much meat. Vegetarian food and fair products. I also give away equipment I do not need for better needy (such as Sherpas and carrier). I also place demands on my partners. As soon as I have the opportunity, I cycle, and then not on a electic bike that I think is pathetic. Basically, it is a matter of taking responsibility. To think ”minimalist” and to have civil courage to take the debate.
But it is not always that easy, or?
”It’s a lot about knowledge, you simply have to keep up with the debate if you want to protect our planet. With facts, one comes to the climate skeptics. Read Al Gore’s latest book, and also Naomi Klein’s book ”This change everything”. It is a civil responsibility that should be with all of us, to take care of our land. We need to make wise thoughtful environmental choices. I can buy a car that goes a little bit less, or choose to invest in an Africa project where you have electricity supplying a city with the help of solar cells …
We are facing a election in Sweden, how do you look at Swedish environmental politics before the election?
-The day’s environmental politics is very short-term rather than assuming the big perspective. We run what I call McDonald’s policy. I will not point out what is best to vote for in future elections, that it is up to everyone. But as I said before, the more we are taking citizenship responsibility, and who learn more and understand where we are heading. Our choices in practice as well as rhetoric will be decisive for the future of our planet.
So the conclusion for us nature lovers, the upcoming election is a breaze just passing by, we need to do something more. maybe this can be a step to look into..But why dont start with the suggested books..
http://www.environmentafrica.org/africa-green-fund-overview/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNy8llTLvuA
Upcoming week there will be a evaluation of a new brand; Tecnique Extreme. Based in Chamonix, I got high expectations..and of course a new interview..
See ya soon
Good blog today
Generally I think that ‘outdoor’ people already are very thoughtful and caring about the environment! We like and respect the nature, we don’t littering, we don’t destroy or harm the nature deliberately, we recycling all we can and we think about what we buy and how we throw away things.
So for me I think that the impact I have negatively is not that bad if I compare with so many other activities, all the business traveling and so many that don’t even think about the impact they have. With that said, I don’t mean I do enough or do everything I can , I’m just saying that we outdoor people generally are so much more ‘caring’ already then the general citizen/company.
I agree that there are a lot to do in Sweden but it’s relatively few places and traveling to those places are timely and costly(and also have bad footprints) and are seldom near the experience you can have in other places. Again we (you and I) every year choose to travel locally to Sweden and Norway for some of the adventures so we do some things ‘right’, but we take the car, not good, but often there is no other choice.
A complex question with so many aspects.
(If I read the interview with Fredrik and Ola I sense they have at least a little of the same thoughts)
Yepp, it is a complex area. And you are right in your thoughts from my point of view. I thinkt it is important to just reflect of it. Not just run the rat race without thought and vice desicion making. thanks for your comment:-) Vice..