Good News from Norway
Here’s a cool video about the marvelous progress that Norway is making in terms of electrifying transportation, and the gains they’re seeing in terms of improved air quality and thus, human health. This didn’t happen without government subsidies, but Norwegians tend to trust their public sector to make good decisions on their behalf.
Between the ages of about 15 and 25, I hitchhiked many of thousands of miles, offered by hundreds of different drivers. One of them told me that in Norway, the government hands out tokens to all citizens, and, whenever a driver picked up a hitchhiker, the rider gave the driver a token which could be redeemed for prizes: appliances, televisions, etc. The idea was to reduce vehicle miles traveled, and, of course, it did exactly that.
This, of course, was the 1970s, and I’d be surprised if the same policy has survived the last 50 years. Having said that, it’s indicative of two important things: a) it IS possible for government to invent and implement cool ideas that forward the public good, and b) it’s also possible for people to care about one another.
Craig,
I hate to shatter your illusions but Norway isn’t the environmental paradise you imagine.
Nor is it the socially progress Nirvana of your dreams, in fact it’s a nation with real and growing problems. (Although I love your choice of photo).
While you can’t name a single current US government Tax subsidy to the US oil industry, Norway has more than 106 subsidies for it oil industry, and allows a blanket tax credit on oil exploration investment of 178%, or $US 18 billion set against royalty and licencing fees.
Of all OECD nations this is by far the highest Tax break as Royalties are usually non deductible.
Meanwhile the Norwegian leftist Opposition has been campaigning hard to allow oil exploration into the Lofoten archipelago.
The area contains the world’s largest cold water coral reef and is widely regarded as the most spectacular place in Norway.
The current centre-right government has ruled out any drilling there while it is in power.
Both the chief executive of government-controlled Statoil and Left’s Oslo’s oil shadow minister, have called for the area to be opened up after next year’s elections.
Norway solemnly announced it was abandoning Coal as a fuel source, must to the admiration of the green-left in the US.
However, what the Norwegians failed to mention, was a month later the state controlled mining corporation opened a new coal mine on the Svalbard archipelago, in the centre of a National Park.
Ah, Norway, bueatiful one day, hypocritical everyday !