The Greenest Country

We have a lot we can learn from other countries about preparing for a transition to a sustainable world. Today we’ll look at Sweden, the country generally considered to be the farthest ahead in green practices. By way of comparison, on the internet the U.S. is typically listed about 20^th or 24^th.

The picture of what Sweden has done to become an ecologically-minded society is like a trip to another galaxy. It can really help us to expand our conception of what is possible. Sweden has taken a comprehensive approach. And they have been doing it for some time. For instance, they began making use of biomass in a big way started in the early 1980s and have developed a number of other renewable energy industries as well. So by 2012, they were able to hit their target of using energy that is 50% renewable. This is far ahead of the rest of the world.

Sustainability in Sweden has advanced in many other areas as well, reflecting their ambition to become an ecologically-minded society. One area is agriculture, with a strong government support for organic farming. Another is the concept, also branded into government policy, of the circular economy. This is a holistic economic strategy that promotes a sustainable approach to the entire circuit of economic activity, from the design of consumer goods through the use of waste-to-energy plants to a heavy emphasis on spreading conservation practices and attitudes through society, and particularly among the young.

One illustration of the result is that Sweden has one of the highest rates of consumption but a low—and lower than typical—level of energy emissions. Another way this translates is into a government policy that positions economic growth within the confines of environmental sustainability.

An ecologically-minded society can make great strides toward sustainability. We could too if we had the will.

Here are some further resources on sustainability in Sweden:

https://sweden.se/climate/sustainability/energy-use-in-sweden

https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1017804/most-and-least-environmentally-friendly-countries

https://www.insightvacations.com/blog/sweden-worlds-most-sustainable-countries/#:~:text=They%20achieved%20this%20predominantly%20through,renewable%20electricity%20production%20by%202040.

http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1555/sweden-the-worlds-most-sustainable-country-political-statements-and-goals-for-a-sustainable-society