Denmark Stopping Oil Production in the North Sea by 2050
By: Tabitha Voglewede
Denmark is famous for its natural beauty landscape. There are also many benefits of living there, such as:
- Work-life balance
- Nature
- Family
- Happiness
It’s true, Denmark ranked internationally for its citizens being happy. That the Danish’s:
It helps them to feel happy. Being conscious of their home and working environments has helped with this rating.
And Denmark isn’t stopping at keeping their citizens happy. They’re working towards a much larger goal – climate neutrality. Denmark wants to improve their overall sustainability practices. They’re taking action to stop future traditional fossil fuel industry practices.
Denmark’s plan to wind down oil production in the North Sea by 2050 is a major win for the environment. This global responsibility to help protect the Atlantic Ocean is huge.
Denmark has already prevented new companies from drilling for oil in the North Sea. They are already taking action for our planet.
What’s Happening With Denmark Oil Production?
To wind down oil production, Denmark has stopped issuing new oil licenses. These are the licenses that allow an entity to extract gas and oil from the North Sea.
The Danish Energy Agency approves these licenses, which grant you permission to look for oil in an approved location.
Companies that already have licenses have been grandfathered in. They’re able to continue operating until the final date of 2050. These oil and gas companies have thirty-nine years to prepare for this end date.
Denmark published a press release in 2020. It says that Denmark plans to be fossil-fuel-free by 2050. Any oil left undrilled will stay in its natural environment in the ground after 2050.
Largest Oil Producer in the EU
Did you know that Denmark has a large oil reserve? In fact, it’s the largest fossil fuel oil producer in the European Union.
Yet, Denmark values their environmental impact over pure economic values. Denmark wants to set an example by being a climate-neutral country.
In 1972, Denmark started using the North Sea for oil production needs. And over these past 40+ years, Denmark’s North Sea revenue reached around 541 billion DKK.
Thankfully, Denmark has wise future-thinking leaders that allow conservation efforts to override economic reasons.
Why Does Denmark Want to Stop Relying on Fossil Fuels?
Denmark has dedicated licenses that cover certain active oil and gas fields. They want to leave undrilled oil in the ground because their move toward a greener environment globally is stronger than any economic reasons.
For many years, Denmark provided public detailed drilling activities data. Denmark uses their data to predict how they need to change their ways to help fight climate change.
Here is a February 2021 report for Danish production of oil, gas, and water. Denmark is open about its usage.
President Biden recently announced his goals. He wants a reduction in fossil fuels in the United States too. The U.S. currently is figuring out how to convert from fossil fuel usage to renewable energy usage.
It’s important that you pause to think about how your life has an effect on the environment. Are you helping to create a cleaner environment for future generations?
Why You Can’t Stop Using Fossil Fuels Overnight
Electricity and power is a basic need for any person. We saw this firsthand in the recent Texas winter storm, where many people went without basic electricity. This storm is a great example of why you can’t stop using fossil fuels overnight.
Many countries are dependent on fossil fuels for energy. Leaders need to consider the consequences of stopping fossil fuels.
Yes, it’s easy to say that “we’re going to stop using fossil fuels”. But how will you supply electricity to your country? It takes years, even decades, to build new alternative energy infrastructures.
Changing towards a green movement is a noble goal. And you must have the support of local government leaders and unions to help reach such goals. The traditional fossil fuel industry will have to adapt. The green movement will also have to provide new types of jobs.
Now is the time to start or join in the discussions with your local government. The time for planning and taking action toward stopping the use of fossil fuels.
What issues are you passionate about? Have you expressed your thoughts to your state’s leadership officials?
Will Other Countries Follow Denmark’s Example?
What countries will follow Denmark? Should the United States use Denmark’s statement as an example to follow? Is this the positive peer pressure we need?
It’ll be interesting to see in a few years how other countries follow Denmark’s guidelines.
Denmark’s dedication to conserving its natural resources is great. They are showing that conservation is a valid enough reason for the change.
Environmental and economic policies are difficult to please everyone. There are nature conservation advocates that want complete renewable energy infrastructure. Then, there are traditional fossil fuel advocates. They want their fossil fuel plans to continue.
Denmark’s Environmental Sustainability Continual Movement
This country promotes creating energy-efficient buildings. Denmark wants to promote full sustainability measures including:
- Renewable energy
- Waste and water management
- Green transportation
The announcement of an end to the granting of licenses falls under their normal ways of working. They’re future thinkers. They can see that oil drilling in the North Sea isn’t sustainable.
The North Sea is around 220,000 square miles large. It also provides many jobs, such as:
- Fisheries
- Shipping zones
- Petroleum and natural gas production
The Danish Subsoil Act (DSA) is part of Denmark’s legislation for oil production. It explains the Danish subsoil’s guidelines, which cover the exploration and extraction of raw materials and hydrocarbons. The Danish protect their waters and soils. As a country, they have large agriculture and fishing industries.
It is important to keep the end goal of limiting pollution in mind. That and keeping nature conservation in context when deciding sustainability measures.
Are You Ready to Act and Change America’s Environmental Protection Activism?
You can start today. You can:
- Call
- Write
Contact your legislative officials to share your ideas.
Do you want your state elected officials to learn about what Denmark is doing? Have you posted on social media the stance that Denmark is taking for its 2050 goal?
Here at Ocean Blue Project, we always promote cleaning up beaches and waterways. You can start with a simple cleanup activity that involves you and your friends removing plastics and other trash from the water. Oh, and please recycle or, better yet, upcycle any plastic you find.
We want to spread awareness about recycling plastic. We want to end plastics going straight to the landfills.
Your Actions Impact Global Efforts
The North Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean. So, cleaning up America’s east coast beaches cleans the North Sea as well. Cleaning up trash from any waterway helps. All waterways feed into our one world ocean.
The world is small. Everyone and everything is connected together in some way. Denmark’s efforts to stop fossil fuel production help us too. Every part helps to save our planet.
People in Denmark are thankful for your support in their global conservation efforts. Just as you’re thankful for the environmental support of Denmark’s government and citizens. Each person has a voice that can make a difference. What difference will you make today?
Author Bio: Tabitha Voglewede is a chemist, attorney, and writer for the green industry.
