A bill proposed by the Norwegian government today suggests that the marine and land-based environment be treated differently, with nature at sea entitled to less protection than on land.
Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact on marine life, not least the vast corral reefs discovered on the Lofoten coast two years ago:
[...] The world’s largest cold water coral reef was found off Lofoten, the scenic archipelago that stretches into the Norwegian Sea west of Narvik. It lies at a depth of 300-400 meters about 110 kilometers west of Røst. The reef itself is about 35 kilometers long and three kilometers wide.
Environmental groups are also keen to preserve the coral reefs, with more than 1,000 of them lying outside Træna. WWF Norge claims they’re endangered even though they’re large, and is demanding better monitoring and protection for them.
The proposed bill has had locals and environmentalists seriously worried, as it ignores such considerations. Even the coalition government, made up by Labour, the Centre party and the Socialist Left part, is divided here, with the latter two dead set against it.
Norway's PM Jens Stoltenberg (Labour). Photographer: Guri Dahl/PM's office
However, the bill proposal has been forced through (link in Norwegian) by the PM’s office and the Ministry og petroleum and energy (incidentally lead by a Centre party minister), leaving Socialist Left party voters frustrated over the party’s continued acceptance of Labour party override.
“[This is] the most important bill on nature ever proposed in Norway,” minister of the environment Erik Solheim stated in a press release issued on Wednesday.
The bill will be presented in a press conference in Oslo at 12:30 PM (local time) today.
The government’s blatant lack of consideration for marine life in Lofoten, for instance, is easily explained by existing plans to explore Lofoten oil reserves, having large segments of the population infuriated that commercial considerations weigh heavier than that of the environment.
If passed, the bill will have a huge impact on the vast Lofoten fish population, among which we find enormous amounts of cod. Scenes such as these will be highly unlikely in the future:
On the surface (or above the ocean surface, as it were) the Norwegian government may appear to be environment conscious, but like beauty, it only seems to be skin-deep. At least when financial considerations come into the picture.
Late addition: The Ministry of the environment issued an extensive press release on the matter Friday afternoon, portraying the proposed bill as a step forward. As can be expected.
Top photo: Reine, Lofoten, seen from top of Reinebringen. Photographer: Michael Haferkamp/Wikipedia
It makes me sick the way these red-green morons, on the one hand think they can save the world by shifting a few stocks around in the Norwegian Pension Fund, while on the other hand slamming an oil drilling contract through its bureaucracy at lightning speed. Stoltenberg&Co again proves that he is uncapable of growing himself a backbone!
I’ve often diagnosed our government slightly schizophrenic in these matters myself, Pwaro, but have to say I find the Socialist Left party’s extraordinary will to compromise and comply more than just a little bit baffling.
Surely they go against everything they believe in. How can they live with that — or better still; how can their voters?