Lofoten Archipelago
After visiting the stunningly scenic Lofoten archipelago today, the guests on board the National Geographic Explorer came away with a variety of questions for Dr. Gro Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, and her impossibly pristine country and the methods utilized here that have somehow succeeded in blending progress with environmentalism. How could the tiny hamlets be thriving on Atlantic cod when the eastern seaboard of the Americas has seen a near complete collapse of that once venerable industry? Where does all the money come from for such incredible infrastructure, even in these far-flung, remote areas of Norway’s ruggedly beautiful coastline? Where is all the pollution that usually results from a country so dependent upon its wealth of oil? Why does such a forward-thinking populace still embrace the frowned-upon practice of whaling?
These were just some of the murmurs and thoughts that pulsed through the travelers over the past week in anticipation of speaking with Norway’s former leader who is proudly enjoying the sights of her country as we all travel together en route to Svalbard. Today, in a sort of informal town hall meeting, they got their chance to do just that. Dr. Brundtland calmly and good naturedly addressed each question with the confident resolve you could expect from someone who has shouldered the burden of a nation’s hopes and problems; and yet she spoke to an assembly not of fellow world leaders and dignitaries, but instead of curious travelers on a quest to broaden their understanding of her country and its place in the world, both natural and political.
It was an enlightening experience to be sure and one that might have even sparked a hope that modern politics can yet be effective with the right blend of public trust, governmental transparency, and the simple premise of making the right choice regardless of its initial costs.
