Which Way, Norway?

Perhaps there’s no more important question in today’s world than this: Is our civilization gaining or losing ground vis-à-vis environmental stewardship?  Sadly, there is no clear answer, as one can easily find evidence to support either response.

From today’s publication of “Energy Matters”:

Norway’s Lofoten archipelago (pictured above) had been off-limits for oil exploration and development, even though the potential oil resources beneath the islands is massive – between 1.3 billion and 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent. But the two biggest political parties — the Conservative Party currently in power and the opposition Labor Party — both support exploration and drilling in the archipelago.

Now, it would be incorrect to conclude that Norway, an extremely progressive country by most standards, is unanimous in its will to drill in the archipelago, even if that is the opinion of the two major political parties.  As suggested in the photo below, there are many strident voices in opposition.

Having said that, it’s both astounding and deeply disappointing that in late 2017, we’re still expanding the reaches of oil exploration into formerly pristine areas, hastening the demise of the planet we call home.  It’s great that a few hundred people made their way to Lofoten to make their voices heard, but it’s profoundly sad that it’s come to this point.