Tag: Norway

10 new national parks are coming to Norway, here’s what to expect

These natural wonders deserve protection.

Mountains, fjords, and glaciers define Norway’s landscape. In a bid to protect these natural wonders against human development and the climate crisis, the country will designate 10 new national parks. Six recognized conservation areas will be reclassified as national parks, and four entirely new areas will also receive national park status. Additionally, Norway will expand eight existing parks. Norwegian officials hope these designations will help protect the country’s biodiversity.

As Norway’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Sveinung Rotevatn explained in a press release translated by Norway Today, “development is taking an increasing toll on nature. Therefore, the government now wants to start more protection processes where both the local municipalities and the Norwegian Environment Agency recommend that a national park is built.”

A mountainous lakeside landscape.
© Crowbared.

The six newly designated national parks include Ålfotbreen, Lyngsalpan, Sylan, Trollheimen, Oksøy-Ryvingen, and Flekkefjord-Listastrendene. Moving westward, the four new national parks will include Hornelen, Masfjordfjella, Øystesefjella, and the Sunnmøre Alps. Meanwhile, the existing national parks to be expanded include Rohkunborri, Blåfjella-Skjækerfjella, Skarvan-Roltdalen, Femundsmarka, Dovre, Jostedalsbreen, Jotunheimen, and Raet.

“We’re trying to improve the ecological system as a whole by increasing the percentage of the protected areas in the country, but there’s a sociocultural dimension that involves getting acceptance from the people living in these areas before we can start the process,” Kjell Kvingedal, an environmental director with the Norway government, told Afar.

Currently, 17% of Norway’s land falls under government protection. By 2030, the country hopes to raise that number to 30%. Both Kvingedal and Rotevatn recognize the importance of community support in this process.

“There will always be different views on new protected areas. Some may be unsure of what it may mean for their interests, so we must ensure there are good processes so everyone will have input,” Rotevatn said.

Lead image via Stian Engen

England just fed Norway into a wood chipper

Records fell at Euro 2022 as the Lionesses demolished their Scandinavian counterparts

Norway was supposed to be a major group-stage test for England, which is aiming to bring home Women’s Euro 2022 on home soil.

Instead, the Lionesses destroyed Norway in a stunning 8-0 victory, laying down a marker as a tournament favorite while humiliating the Scandinavians in a record-setting performance.

England had only snuck by Austria 1-0 in its Group A opener but Monday’s follow-up at the Amex Stadium in Brighton was a comprehensive demonstration of the attacking prowess that Sarina Wiegman’s team possesses.

How bad did it get for Norway? England had already tied a Euros record for most goals in a single game by halftime.

That record fell in the second half as substitute Alessia Russo’s header made it 7-0.

The pair of Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead caused Norway all kinds of problems on the flanks, with the former scoring one and the latter scoring a hat trick, while striker Ellen White also added two goals.

Norway boasts a star-studded attack including the superstar duo of Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg, but its defense was considered a potential liability heading into the tournament.

Consider those fears realized.

Still, Norway won its first game against Northern Ireland, meaning a win against Austria in its group finale will still secure a berth in the quarterfinals. Based on Monday’s performance, there is plenty of work to do.

England, meanwhile, clinched a spot in the last eight and on this evidence appears primed for a deep run on home soil. If nothing else, the Lionesses will long remember a night in Brighton when everything went right.

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Watch: Shark creates intimidating wake as it approaches anglers

Two families of fishermen were targeting salmon in waters off Norway when they spotted a huge shark heading toward them.

Two families of fishermen were targeting salmon in waters off Norway when they spotted a huge shark heading toward them, creating an intimidating wake.

The anglers remained still and watched in amazement and awe as the shark passed within feet on the starboard side of the boat, showing its massive size.

The encounter occurred July 1 in the Lofoten area, which apparently is known for these kinds of sharks at this time of year.

As daunting as the shark looked, there was no need to fear it, even though it was identified as the second-largest shark species in the world, growing to a maximum length of 45 feet.

It was a brugde, otherwise known as a basking shark, which is a filter feeder that feeds on plankton. It is harmless to humans.

“Amazing and terrifying at the same time,” one commenter on YouTube wrote.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Fisherman photographs ‘craziest thing’ seen on a fishing pier

Brugde sharks were observed 149 times last summer and have been observed about 50 times so far this summer, Claudia Junge, a researcher at the Institute of Marine Research told Norway Posts.

The IMR is working to learn more about brugde sharks as “scientists know very little about how the world’s second-largest shark moves in Norwegian waters.”

Photos courtesy of ViralHog.

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Erling Haaland threw Norway teammate Morten Thorsby under the bus for his dive

The striker couldn’t ignore the evidence in front of him when confronted with a replay of the incident

Erling Haaland scored twice for Norway against Sweden on Sunday, but he admitted his second, from the penalty spot, probably shouldn’t have happened.

Haaland’s penalty in the 69th minute was ultimately the winning goal in Norway’s 2-1 victory in the UEFA Nations League, but the spot kick appeared to be incorrectly given after a dive from Norway’s Morten Thorsby.

After the game, Haaland couldn’t help but laugh at Thorsby’s dive, saying it may have been something he learned while playing for Sampdoria in Italy.

Asked by TV 2 what he thought of the incident, Haaland said: “I think he should have passed the ball to me, and I would’ve scored, but it looks like a half-dive.”

The newly minted Manchester City striker was then shown a replay of the incident.

“The Italian way, you can safely say,” he said. “That’s something he must have brought from Italy. But he touched him … It looks like he was diving, yes, I honestly have to say, but oh well. It is what it is.”

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