Referring to the public consultation for "Plan 1939 Solneset"
"We looked at the construction plans planned for Solneset fields B1-B2, C1-C2 with great concern. 393 housing units spread over six construction areas and pedestrian and cycle paths throughout the wilderness will no doubt lead to significant natural habitat loss and increase in light pollution in an otherwise dark area. The wilderness between Hamna and Mortensnes is very valuable to many people because it is untouched, and the area is considered a very important recreational area. Such development will lead to the loss of many habitat types in a time where there are global objectives to limit the collapse of biodiversity.
In 2023, the Norwegian Outdoor Life, the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) and WWF published the 'Red List for Endangered Nature Experiences'. When people were asked which experiences they feared losing the most, over 16,000 participants voted. The value of silence and darkness was among the top ten responses. A similar survey in 2019 with 6,000 respondents ranked the starry sky in fourth place (https://tinyurl.com/yp55m8sw).
Light pollution is a largely overlooked problem in Northern Norway today. Satellite images of artificial light at night reveal a striking reality; Northern Norway is as illuminated as some of Europe's most densely populated areas (https://tinyurl.com/2ufjwvz2). Perhaps due to the long polar night, artificial lighting has become a deep-rooted habit. Homes and cottages are often illuminated around the clock, outdoor lights illuminate private buildings as if they were public monuments. Street lights are on even when they are not needed, and the buildings of businesses shine brightly through the winter nights.
This excessive use of artificial light is not only an environmental problem, it is also an economic problem. Private households, businesses and Tromsø municipality could significantly reduce costs by cutting electricity consumption.
In addition, light pollution has well-documented negative effects on wildlife, both on land and in the sea. For those who still believe that Norway has a lot of untouched nature, a glance at the Norwegian Environment Agency's "Nature Map" showing what is left of the wilderness in Norway (https://tinyurl.com/3zaa76me) will provide a sober orientation to reality.
It is not too late to change our perspective, and start seeing nature as more than just a resource for financial profit. It is also not too late to start asking questions about whether unlimited growth really serves the best interests of humanity, starting with the people living in Tromsø.
As Dr. Jochen A. Jaeger wrote «Current trends in urban development across the planet contradict all principles of sustainability. It is a remarkable irony that the more knowledge and planning capacity societies have at their disposal, the more common increases in urban sprawl have become, particularly in Europe. Urban sprawl leads to cumulative alterations of the environment being passed on from generation to generation. What kind of cities do we want to pass on to future generations?» (https://tinyurl.com/2abuhh7n)
Dear politicians, we urge you to prevent the development proposed at Solneset and leave this area of relatively preserved nature to the whole of Tromsø (humans and non-humans) to enjoy."
Delphin Ruché
Daglig leder
(Letter sent to postmottak@tromso.kommune.no in its Norwegian version the 19/02/2025)
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