Most Norwegians live in close contact with nature. This explains why many of us, particularly children, are concerned about the environment and the protection of natural resources. Industrial and commercial activities do not always put nature first. Therefore we have many laws and regulations to protect nature and animal life and to ensure that the environment is safeguarded and natural resources exploited in a sensible way.

The pupils at Kari's school have carried out several environmental projects, including one where they tested the quality of rainwater and found out that it was often very acid. This can damage forests and kill fish in lakes and rivers. Acid rain in Norway is due as much to air pollution by industries in other countries as in Norway itself. Air pollution across national borders is a problem Kari and her classmates are aware of and which they realize can only be solved by international co-operation. Like many other young people all over Norway, both Kari and Øyvind are members of environmental organizations. The authorities in Norway are also very concerned about these matters. Former Norwegian Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, has been the president of the United Nations World Commission for Environment and Development which plays an important part in improving international co-operation on environmental questions.

Former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland adressing the United Nations in 1988"