Eco in Denmark: From island to mainland to foreign land

I just came back to Copenhagen for a night. Tomorrow is very exciting, I'll be going to Berlin in Germany for Global Action Day, and stay there for a couple days. I just came from another island, hopping from Aeroe to Oroe suddenly for five days! I met some nice people at island Aeroe, called Hanne and Jens Johan, a couple living on island Oroe further north in Zealand, Denmark! So I took the ride with two cats they adopted from Aeroe, and met Hanne at the ferry to Oroe. Here I stayed until today, and my trip there was way too fast as it was so much to learn there and discover among plants and herbs. This was a herbal garden, a healing garden and Hanne educates in this. She is very experienced, and they run a Bed and Breakfast for visitors. I got lots of reflections while digging the earth there, and really I think human beings are way too comfortable indoors and should get out alot more! That was my first impression from there. Oroe taught me alot, but mostly to be respectful for what is so gently growing and we are simply just overseeing it all that happens around us. These plants they had, was very taken care of. You can sure tell when the earth is willing or not, and when the plants are taken care of. They respond by gathering more Co2, or getting fresh blooming flowers. Some herbs are treatments, learned by for instance the indians or the asian people using it almost daily. We're still very "new" at discovering all the possibilities of herbs, and after becoming more on my "veggie diet" I have discovered that the balance in the body is most important, and some herbs are used as instruments for when you are overweight in one component than the other, and cleanses your stomach and regains the immune system. Some herbs are particulary good for women, and I'll get back to more details later. I have to get some rest and sleep after a day of walking in a thousandsomething-crowded hall in Copenhagen with the title "Healthy Lifestyle Exhibition 25 Years of Celebration". You can tell, PEOPLE are HUNGRY!;)

Eco in Denmark: Arriving at island Aeroe

I just arrived on one of the smallest, yet biggest islands in Denmark considering renewable energy, called Aeroe (Ærø), which is very similar to Samsoe (the 100% Renewable Energy Island) which I visited back in august (prev post: http://ecoiselin.blogspot.com/2010/08/eco-in-denmark-100-renewable-energy.html). One of the reasons I chose this island is that they host the WORLD's largest solar panel plant which would be one great sight and one hugh inspiration to visit! Even though Sweden is the leading country in Scandinavia overall when it comes to ecological implement (in business especially), I find these tiny islands of Denmark (Samsoe and Aeroe) as leading examples of what is the most human affected developement, where partner-ownerships and households are very responsible for the exceeding renewable energy process worldwide and in Europe. They both have the same ambition (which Samsoe now has accomplished); to become 100% self-sufficient by renewable energy. Aeroe is famous for its shipping and boat-life, which is also one of my favorites. I am going to pay city Marstal a visit during this coming week besides "wwoofing" (organic farm-works). The farm that welcomed me gave me free accomodation at one of their lux apartements(!) of a hundered square metres, and I feel very lucky to spend the days in such beautiful environment. The ocean is nearby with their own beach and just have a look:

The view from my apartement!

My very nice apartement here.

Big bed! :)

 

Eco in Denmark: The 100% Renewable Energy Island

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: 

Samsoe (Samsø / Samso) is an island between island Sjaelland and the Jylland in Denmark, 114 square kilometres and 4000 inhabitants. We took a local ferry to find an island with top technology from both worlds! The farmers, the scientists, the locals and the top technical equipment for becoming a leading flagship of energy. Today, after 10 years of developement, Samsoe is hosting lots of "energy tourists" and curious energy enthusiasts from all over the world. How they made it happen, is a nice story itself. The key is participation. This trip was done August 9th to discover how this island is 100% self-sustained from renewable energy, and managed to get a guided tour around the wonderful island:

Above: Air heating and conditioning system