Located 200 miles northwest of Scotland, the Faroe Islands is a self-governing territory officially part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The archipelago consists of 18 small islands connected by bridges, road tunnels, ferries and causeways. This video shows the beauty of these tiny islands, which travelers often overlook due to their remote location and small size. However, they boast steep seaside cliffs, secluded coves and deep valleys. The film captures the islands at all times of day, from stormy mornings to rich sunsets.
Bicycling in the Superkilen Park in Copenhagen, Denmark. Kristoffer Trolle. CC BY 2.0
Bicycles: The National Pride of Denmark
While most countries compete for the latest cars and the most efficient public transportation systems, Denmark is known most famously for its biking culture. The nation proudly calls itself an environmentally friendly place, with bicycles being among the most common modes of transport to work and school.
Bicycles were first introduced to Denmark in the 1880s, and gradually gained popularity in the 1920s and ‘30s as nationwide symbols for freedom and equality. This is because the nation views bicycles as a unifying force that ties the community together, and which Danish citizens of all ages use equally. The government introduced “Car-Free Sundays” in the early 1970s amid the Middle East oil crisis, and Danish interest in bikes began to soar.Over the years, concern for climate change and pollution brought new interest back into the bicycling culture, making it an essential way that most citizens get their daily exercise.
In fact, bicycling is so ingrained within Danish culture that most children learn to cycle before the age of 6. Until then, they are often carried in seats at the back of their parents’ bicycles. As it’s so common to see families with children on bicycles, another popular vehicle is the cargo bike, introduced in the 1980s. Many extended families use this bike to carry children while also transporting goods .
Cargo bike in Copenhagen, Denmark. News Oresund. CC BY 2.0
One may wonder how the Danes possibly cycle amid car traffic, along ragged roads and in between the swarms of people during rush hour. For one thing, Denmark is blessed with a flat terrain, helping bicyclists as they commute from place to place. Additionally, due to bicycles being a primary mode of transport, Denmark has developed cycle paths, bridges and even “cycle superhighways” to improve safety throughout the country. There are currently almost 7,500 miles of cycle routes in Denmark, while the city of Copenhagen alone has 250 miles of cycle paths apart from car lanes and sidewalks.
Due to the country’s prevalent bicycling culture, Denmark can proudly call itself environmentally conscious, with an average CO2 emissions reduction of 20,000 tons a year from bicyclists. Other than this environmental benefit, the cycling culture is a big step toward maintaining citizens’ health, and is thus encouraged across the country.
Swati Agarwal
Swati is a sophomore at University of California, San Diego, where she is studying Environmental Sciences and Theatre. Although born in India, she was raised in Tokyo, which gave her the opportunity to interact with diverse people from distinct cultures. She is passionate about writing, and hopes to inspire others by spreading awareness about social justice issues and highlighting the uniqueness of the world.
Mink Cull In Denmark Sparks Reexamination of the Fur Industry
When a highly transmissible, mutated strain of COVID-19 was found in Danish fur farms, the government called for the immediate slaughter of the country’s 17 million mink. In the wake of this swift cull, many are beginning to question the relevance of the fur industry.
A juvenile mink; they are native to North America and are usually found near bodies of water. USFWS Mountain Prairie. CC BY 2.0
At the start of November, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen ordered the immediate killing of the country’s entire mink population.
The reason for this drastic order was the emergence of a mutated form of the coronavirus. Although scientists have tracked numerous mutations, the particular variant found in the mink was determined to hinder “the effectiveness of future vaccines.” Twelve people from Denmark’s North Jutland region were infected with the new strain, which sparked the government’s swift response.
A top of the line fur coat can cost as much as $150,000. Jessica. CC BY-NC 2.0.
Denmark is Europe’s largest exporter of mink pelts, with roughly 1,000 mink farms scattered about the country. Even if farms are not within the infection zones, owners still must cull their herds. This extremely broad measure has been financially damaging to a significant number of family businesses in the country. Since the 1920s, the Danish mink industry has been unrivaled for its quality and longevity. The effects of the cull would be nearly irreversible. Already, Danish company Kopenhagen Fur—the world’s largest auction house for furs—announced its plans to downsize and close operations within the next two to three years.
Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mogens Jensen later admitted that the government had erred, saying that “there is no legal authority to ask mink breeders to slaughter their mink outside the zones that have been made.” On Nov. 18, Jensen resigned after increased backlash from the Danish people and those within his own party.
Despite the well-meaning orders to prevent another potentially deadly spread, the government’s sudden request found mink farmers unprepared and overwhelmed. Peder Elbek Pedersen, veterinarian and mink specialist for a Danish veterinary association, was tasked at short notice with training and certifying farmers in humane slaughter. Nevertheless, disturbing videos emerged of mink crowded into killing boxes and gassed insufficiently. Pedersen also shared that one mink farmer attempted suicide in the wake of this mass slaughter. “These are farms that are passed on from father to son,” he said. “Kids start learning how to raise the animals when they’re 13. Mink farming is their whole identity.”
Denmark alone produces up to 17 million mink skins a year. Network for Animal Freedom. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
As the coronavirus continues to take its toll, many are starting to question the role of fur in fashion. Even before the pandemic, fur consumption was dropping. High-profile brands like Prada, Burberry and Armani openly pledged to stop using the pelts of mink, rabbits and foxes, then halted the production of anything made from exotic animal skins. Between 2015 and 2018, global fur sales fell from $40 billion to $33 billion. Despite this decline, the fur industry still retains its profits by lining other obscure cuts like trims and hoods.
With calls for ethical production, alternatives like synthetic furs are fast outpacing the sales of real fur items. Options like vegan leather and faux fur can aid the cause of animal rights activists hoping to end the practice of fur farms. As the consequences of the pandemic takes its toll, perhaps the fur industry is finally on its last legs.
Rhiannon Koh
Rhiannon earned her B.A. in Urban Studies & Planning from UC San Diego. Her honors thesis was a speculative fiction piece exploring the aspects of surveillance technology, climate change, and the future of urbanized humanity. She is committed to expanding the stories we tell.
DENMARK: Watch a Group of People Make this Immigrant Bus Driver's Day
As a country sitting atop the world ranks being named the 'happiest country in the world,' Denmark has quite the reputation to live up to these days. Beneath the surface though, an unhealthy distain for immigrants is a perculating issue inside its own borders. Such was not the case for this fantastic group of Danes who decided to show a Somalian immigrant, and bus driver, their appreciation; on his birthday no less. Faith in humanity, restored.
Sixpenny Globe - Around the World on the Cheap
After obtaining a college education and trudging through a year of minimum-wage jobs and unpaid internships, Kelsey Ogden and Kristen Refermat agreed that some extra spice was needed in their lives. For many, the remedy for such a dilemma might be a simple tropical holiday - complete with frozen margaritas and white sanded beaches. This however was not the case for these two. Instead, Kristen and Kelsey quit their jobs and bought two round-the-world tickets; on credit. Through their travels Sixpenny Globe was born - a new web series documenting their budget-traveling, hitchhiking, couchsurfing escapades around the world and back.