In a drastic and alarming coverage shift, the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Vitality and the Setting has proposed opening all of Norway’s rivers to hydropower initiatives, a transfer that threatens fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and indigenous lands.
These protected rivers embrace roughly 390 waterways that have been beforehand deemed too precious to take advantage of, rivers lengthy safeguarded below the “Safety Plan for Watercourses” to protect their ecological and cultural significance.
This transfer stands in stark distinction to Norway’s worldwide commitments, together with the Kunming-Montreal World Biodiversity Framework, which requires at the least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas to be protected and restored by 2030. It additionally undermines the nation’s picture as a world chief in sustainability.
At a time when nations around the globe are combating to protect what little untouched nature stays, Norway is poised to show its again by itself wild rivers, a few of the final free-flowing waterways in Europe.
Why This Issues
Hydropower is usually portrayed as a “inexperienced” power supply, however its environmental toll is devastating. Rivers drained to a trickle, fish populations decimated, and whole ecosystems disrupted.
Norway already has 1,781 hydropower crops, and influence research present that these present crops are doing subsequent to nothing to make sure that migrating fish cross via unhurt. Salmon and trout, species important to Norway’s pure heritage and indigenous livelihoods, are routinely trapped behind dams, chopped up in generators, stranded in dried-out riverbeds, and blocked from their pure migration routes. European eels, red-listed as critically endangered, are different frequent victims of hydropower crops.
In 2024, Nature & Setting reported on a “Fish Migration Survey” that discovered greater than two thirds of Norwegian hydropower crops have by no means investigated whether or not fish are harmed of their amenities. On prime of that, “solely 6.5 p.c have determined to put in gear [that prevents damage to migratory fish].”
Different studies from the Norwegian Broadcasting Firm supply perception into the darkish facet of “inexperienced” Norwegian hydropower. It’s not simply the fish in danger, both. Birds, mammals, and bugs that depend on these waterways for survival additionally face displacement and hunger.
As soon as a river is modified, it’s modified endlessly. Damming a river disrupts its pure stream, sediment transport, and aquatic ecosystems. Fish populations decline on account of migration obstacles, and the lack of pure water fluctuations harms biodiversity. Even when a dam have been eliminated, habitats and species that relied on the unique river dynamics might already be too degraded or misplaced to get better.
That is why the influence of hydropower is arguably everlasting. As soon as these pristine rivers are altered, they could by no means absolutely get better, and the 390 rivers threatened by this proposed opening symbolize a few of the final untouched pure habitats within the nation.
Norway can not proceed to model itself as an environmental chief whereas systematically dismantling its personal conservation legal guidelines.
The Norwegian individuals, particularly those that cherish the outside, have lengthy fought to maintain these rivers wild. Kayakers, anglers, hikers, and conservationists from around the globe acknowledge Norway as a sanctuary for unspoiled nature.
So this choice is greater than only a coverage change. It’s a betrayal of the very landscapes that outline Norway’s identification. It’s a direct assault on the individuals who have trusted these waterways for generations.
CREDIT: Halvor Heggem
What Norwegian Rivers are at Threat?
Over the previous a long time, Norway has labored to guard its most useful and distinctive river ecosystems, together with:
- Sjoa – Certainly one of Europe’s most well-known whitewater rivers, the Sjoa is an important hub for out of doors tourism. Rafters have been paddling this river because the late Eighties.
- Rauma – A pristine salmon river identified for its clear waters and breathtaking surroundings. The world-famous Troll Wall (Trollveggen) is situated on the southwestern shore of this river.
- Gaula – Routinely named among the many greatest Atlantic salmon fishing rivers within the nation, the Gaula helps each nature and native economies, and is the most important river in Central Norway.
- Vefsna – the biologically wealthy Vefsna has its headwaters in Børgefjell Nationwide Park. It’s residence to a number of uncommon aquatic species and is a essential a part of the ecosystem.
- Øystesevassdraget – this river has extraordinarily excessive conservation worth, and has lengthy been protected for its distinctive pure setting.
If this proposal passes, these iconic rivers, and lots of others, might lose their authorized safety, opening them up for improvement.
How Did This Occur?
This radical proposal was launched with out prior session, public debate, or environmental influence evaluation. It was added to laws initially meant to enhance flood and landslide preparedness. As an alternative of serving to nature, it now threatens it.
The proposal has already obtained majority help in Parliament, backed by the Progress Get together, the Conservative Get together, the Christian Democratic Get together, the Labour Get together, and the Centre Get together. Until we cease it, the legislation will cross subsequent week.
What Can You Do?
We can not enable this to occur with no combat. The time to behave is now. On behalf of the river group of Voss, which has labored tirelessly to guard simply considered one of Norway’s few remaining untouched rivers, we name on you—the worldwide out of doors group, environmental organizations, and all who love wild nature—to face with us.
The Norges Naturvernforbund (Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature) has created a petition, linked beneath, to protest the allowance of hydropower in protected waterways. Readers are inspired to signal, share, and help!
Different actions we are able to take:
Unfold the phrase: Share this message with fellow out of doors fanatics, media shops, and conservation teams.
Write to Norwegian lawmakers: Demand that they reject this proposal and uphold Norway’s commitments to environmental safety.
Assist native and worldwide conservation efforts: Be part of organizations combating to guard Norway’s rivers and biodiversity.
Make your voice heard: Whether or not you’re a paddler, angler, photographer, or nature lover, your phrases and actions could make a distinction.
These rivers will not be simply Norway’s. They’re a part of our shared international pure heritage. As soon as they’re gone, they are going to by no means return. Stand with us. Combat for the rivers. Shield Norway’s wild waters.
Signed,
Ina Marie Bollingberg, Joe Rea-Dickins, and the whitewater group of Voss, Norway (who selected to settle right here, largely, as a result of protected nature of the area’s rivers)
