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TAIL OF
THE DOG

Utopia

slo is a city living the dream Oslo is known as the EV (Electric which had strip heating above the
of a modern Utopia. Fast and Vehicle) capital of the world. opening between the house and the
Ofree Wi-Fi is everywhere. garden, creating a curtain of warmth
Young forward-thinking city If you need to drive into the Oslo city between the house and the view. I
counsellors (many of whom are centre, underground parking with was told then that electricity (hydro
women) have realised that cars rows of charging stations is available. power, no fossil fuels at all) was
take up valuable space in the city Obviously, this has improved the extremely cheap in Norway, hence
centre, so they are banned from carbon footprint of the city immensely. the possibility of being warm on the
parking there, freeing up space for The city centre is extremely secure, so open verandah. That was 50 years
pedestrians and cyclists. inhabitants can walk or cycle safely to ago; they were ahead of the game
and from work by day or after hours, even then. Today 98% of Norway’s
Public transport is excellent – trams, and children can play on the streets. energy supply is sustainable.
electric ferries, buses, trains and
electric taxis. Plug-in recharging I visited Oslo in the early seventies, How interesting to read about the giant
stations are available for taxis and long before carbon emissions, steps forward to a green economy
buses. Delivery trucks are assured sustainability, global warming were and lifestyle they have made since
of recharging stations back at their the life-threatening issues they are then.
depots, giving trucks and drivers today. My husband I stayed with
a period of rest while the vehicles magnanimous hosts in their large Dare we even dream?
recharge. In May this year, 79% of all house overlooking a beautiful fjord,
new cars sold were fully electric cars. and I was struck by the huge verandah, Gill Butler