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More and more I distrust and even begin to resent these high-profile, headline ‘advances’. Sweden is particularly good at this PR effort: always aiming to prof

More and more I distrust and even begin to resent these high-profile, headline ‘advances’. Sweden is particularly good at this PR effort: always aiming to profile ourselves as the eco-friendly pioneers of the world. But at the same time, ancient woodland is clearcut at an alarming rate, and wood-burning for energy is largely exempted from Sweden’s carbon footprint. Cycling and alternative transport is neglected, while cars just get bigger and spending on roads spirals upwards. But so long as we make headlines for supposedly fossil-free steel, everyone here is proud and happy

badestrand 5y ago
The headline was not "Everything is perfectly sustainable in Sweden" so I don't understand your criticism here. The world starting to produce steel with hydrogen is a great step. It is not necessary that everything is sustainable already to celebrate or at least posivitely acknowledge this news.
moogly 5y ago
Old-growth forests were largely cut down a long time ago. There's some still left, and the majority (but not all) are protected. The area of 2nd level ("gammelskog"; forests older than 150 years) continues to increase. Overall, Sweden has a higher amount of forested area now than in 1900, and it's not just planted young growth. The "save the forest" campaigns of yore were pretty misinformed.
tored 5y ago
I do agree that Sweden is good at PR when it comes to green policies, but I can’t really agree on all your claims. Cycling neglected? I guess it depends where you live in Sweden but in my city they have added much more bike paths (cykelväg) for several years. It exist regional funds that a kommun can apply for to build more bike paths. Alternative transport? Like what? Sweden has been bad on expanding regional train capacity and instead focused on country wide prestige projects like the high speed rail when most commuters travel regional. Costs for roads will increase as long as population increases are as high as today. That is unavoidable. And seems like the Green Party is all in favor of massive population increase regardless of environmental consequences. Ancient woodland clearcut at alarming rate? Source?

badestrand 5y ago

The headline was not "Everything is perfectly sustainable in Sweden" so I don't understand your criticism here. The world starting to produce steel with hydrogen is a great step. It is not necessary that everything is sustainable already to celebrate or at least posivitely acknowledge this news.

moogly 5y ago

Old-growth forests were largely cut down a long time ago. There's some still left, and the majority (but not all) are protected. The area of 2nd level ("gammelskog"; forests older than 150 years) continues to increase. Overall, Sweden has a higher amount of forested area now than in 1900, and it's not just planted young growth. The "save the forest" campaigns of yore were pretty misinformed.

tored 5y ago

I do agree that Sweden is good at PR when it comes to green policies, but I can’t really agree on all your claims. Cycling neglected? I guess it depends where you live in Sweden but in my city they have added much more bike paths (cykelväg) for several years. It exist regional funds that a kommun can apply for to build more bike paths. Alternative transport? Like what? Sweden has been bad on expanding regional train capacity and instead focused on country wide prestige projects like the high speed rail when most commuters travel regional. Costs for roads will increase as long as population increases are as high as today. That is unavoidable. And seems like the Green Party is all in favor of massive population increase regardless of environmental consequences. Ancient woodland clearcut at alarming rate? Source?