Engagement through knowledge
Opinion piece by Astrid Bjørkås (NO)
I have always been in love with the nature. Norway is a beautiful country with mountains, deep fjords, forests, and fields. Wild and free nature to be experienced and enjoyed, available for everyone. To me the nature north of the Polar Circle is extra spectacular with cold temperatures, ice, snow, and midnight sun.
In many ways it seems so mighty and invulnerable, but now it really needs protection. Every minute 79 square meters of the Norwegian nature disappears, which equals one soccer field each hour[1].
A rapid destruction of values hard or impossible to restore. I was lucky enough to participate as a trainee at the Nordic Summer Training in Tromsø, a city north of the Polar Circle. We learned a lot, and one of the main take aways for me was the importance of involvement, and commitment among young people towards taking care of, and protect the nature and environment.
I think that engagement and mobilization in society will increase, if the level of knowledge and insight into the beauty, diversity and complexity of nature are strengthened. If we could make more people, and especially young people, realize and respect its value on a deeper level, we could really make a huge difference. I will point at two different, but related learning perspectives:
- knowledge trough education/learning
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- knowledge through experience, being outside in nature.
Learning about nature and ecology, but also the reasons for ,- and consequences of destroying nature, should be a priority at all educational levels. It is impossible to protect all types of nature, but some areas are extra important. For example, marshes, primeval forests, and areas important to animals and people. The Sami people are dependent on having nature to run the reindeer herding to continue their traditions, and the polar bears need ice to live on. In Norway we also have an outdoor and hiking culture and it is important to protect areas for outdoors activities.
Nature has a value on its own, not just as a resource. For me it is a place where I can relax and enjoy the surroundings. I really enjoyed Tromsø. The fact that you can have a thirty minutes’ walk from the city center to get to the mountains and see the sunset is amazing. It gives me a feeling of connection and belonging. This experience cannot be learned in books.
We need political changes, changes in learnings institutions like schools and universities and in culture institutions. We need to be informed about the problems, to create solutions for the future, and we need to experience and enjoy our nature.
I think the EYP session in Tromsø has increased our knowledge and made us more engaged in the Nordic nature in a very fun and available way. I hope for more sessions in the Nordic, hopefully with even more focus on the Nordic nature and the challenges it is facing.
This publication was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the the European Youth Parliament and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
