HOW DARE YOU
"Science can flourish only in an atmosphere of free speech."
"Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth."
Albert Einstein
Foreword
This book is primarily intended by the author to be an entertaining piece of contemporary fiction. It is set in real-life environments and deals with many topics that characterize contemporary discourse. Any resemblance to real people is not intentional, although the author has taken some humorous liberties with the names of some real characters.
Another intention of the book is to use a fictional story to highlight contemporary challenges related to climate, energy transition and democratic principles. The book contains many references to media reports, newspaper articles, TV broadcasts, research reports, petitions and online statements. These are all real, with the exception of debates and opinion pieces that belong to, and are written specifically for, the plot of the story. Some of the real references are taken from the author's own communication with individuals in, for example, the press, mostly by email.
Readers are encouraged to pursue and seek out the specified sources of information for a deeper understanding of the issues. The intention has always been to be as factual as possible, and not to fabricate or twist the references to real events and statements. Some quotes have been somewhat abbreviated for readability.
An attempt has been made to simplify parts of the more technical text. This will often be at the expense of precision and overall perspective. For example, the global effects of Norwegian oil and gas exports, as well as the differential effect of electricity to offshore from land, are more complex than attempted to explain in the book. It has never been the author's intention to cover this in full, but to highlight the dilemmas and the complexity we face.
Some of these "monologues" from individual characters in the book may come through as excessively numbers-focused and complicated, but the author hopes and believes that most of it is understandable, and hopefully leaves the reader somewhat wiser. However, this should not be at the expense of the overall story being told, and the fictional story hopefully
stands on its own, even if you don't keep up with all the temperature references, energy sizes or abatement costs.
Prologue
It was the second summer up there. The old farm was idyllically situated in the beginning of the climb towards the majestic mountains. A few goats, sheep and chickens roamed freely around the large and partly overgrown yard between the buildings. The traces of the former farmstead had largely disappeared, and now the place was a holiday treat. All buildings were affected by the weather and wind, and the outdoor wooden panels were intentionally grayed to a postcard-like style. One could almost suspect the whole place to be newly renovated, as the gray panels were very reminiscent of today's modern planks in kebony, Siberian larch and whatever all the variants were called. But no, this was the real thing - old, weathered Norwegian pine.
Anita fondly remembered last year's first summer at the farm. There was lots of fun to do with the animals, swimming, exploring, jumping in the hay and fishing. The vacation was over before she had time to think. This year, she had therefore made plans for everything they were going to do. The plan had completely fallen apart. Because of Him! Last year, the owners of the farm had only brought their youngest daughter, who was a good match for Anita, and they had become good friends. This year, however, her big brother was also spending summer there. At first, Anita hadn't given this much thought. He was mostly doing his own thing. But through his sister's friendship, the contact surface had gradually become noticeable. Anita sensed a growing interest. She didn't quite understand what it was, since in her mind boys were stupid, uninteresting, annoying.
As the summer progressed, her heart jumped more and more every time she saw him, or it became clear that they would meet for social activities, a fishing trip or a bonfire and hot dog eating. She was confused. He's almost twice your age, she reminded herself. I can't be in love with a boy that old, she thought. Admittedly, nature had recently made her fertile, but the fact that hormones and emotions were running so wild with her was embarrassing, to say the least. She had to work hard to keep this under wraps, and even though her heart pounded throughout the summer, she was sure that no one knew. It had to stay that way.
Chapter 1
He was sweating and his eyes were watering. His hands were wet too. He had done this before, but never with such intent and with such explosive force. It was cramped down there in the trunk where the charge was placed, and he fumbled with the wires.
Not particularly elegant and professional craftsmanship, he thought to himself. But it would work. This would really take the issue to new heights, and force a completely different discussion about the level of ambition and pace of public debate. As the Vicar had said the day before, when they got the thumbs up: "If they won't, they have to. Keep the extent of damage at a reasonable level. The effect of showing that we can, and implementing when we have to, should be sufficient."
As he attached the final wires, he once again reflected on whether this was the right thing to do. Although his motives were hardly as pure as the Vicar’s, he definitely had sympathy for the cause. Not least, he saw his own people constantly falling victim to the ravages of nature. The poorer, the worse.
So yes; it seemed to be a perfectly legitimate plan. Everything else has been tried, both here and elsewhere - and nothing happens. Thousands die every month from heatwaves, typhoons, extreme rainfall, air pollution, etc. and it's only getting worse. The business community, politicians - yes, even the self-appointed conservationists and climate organizations that call themselves green, just sit and talk, and are only concerned with short-term gain, or getting a winning punchline as the last speaker in some debate broadcast. He had no faith in their real intentions. Meanwhile, time is running out. The carbon budget is exhausted, and we have passed the point of no return.
- Passed the point of no return, he repeated to himself as he closed the trunk.
Chapter 2
Nini Egenes checked her e-mail and the shared inbox for building administration while keeping half an eye on the reception area. As the clock approached 0730, the influx through the front doors increased. Nini was on first name terms with most of them, something her colleagues noticed and appreciated, as it had only been three months since she was appointed Head of Facilities at OLGA AS, a growing, independent all-Norwegian oil and gas company. Growing, but not yet that big, after a few years of actively buying and selling production licenses on the Norwegian continental shelf. Like several similar companies, the 800 or so onshore employees recently moved into modern premises at Forus in Stavanger. With a trend of large international companies pulling out of Norway in recent years, this "new" diversity of smaller, independent and hungry players was part of the authorities' strategy to further develop the Norwegian continental shelf. Her position as head of the small department included all kinds of tasks, and now she was sitting at the reception desk "multitasking", which is strictly speaking a linguistic misnomer for being busy - or thinking you're efficient, since humans only have one processor and can't do several things at once. The infectious smile of every passer-by came naturally to her. She already felt as part of the family, and the feeling of having won the Big Lottery when the job became hers, was still there.
Perhaps she was extra cheerful today, since her boyfriend had surprised her the day before by booking an autumn vacation for two to the Maldives. A private cabin on piles in the water, with a private swimming pool floating above the sea. Too expensive, she had thought, until she realized (once again) that they were struggling to find big enough windows to throw money out of. Since Anders had sold out of a competing growth oil and gas company last year, she was still struggling to get used to the idea that such luxury was within reach. And perhaps even more so, if it was "acceptable", given that so many others were struggling financially, including close friends. It could certainly also be argued that it was more than a cliché that the rich partner had taken such freedom without consulting her. Alpha male, domination techniques, lack of balance of power in the relationship,
no real shared finances, etc. could be felt floating in the word cloud in the back of her mind; but she couldn't have cared less. Her friends, who might have planted some of these thoughts way back there, were probably guided more by envy than principle. They weren't going to take away her joy. Her materialistic base philosophy didn't make her feel guilty - quite the contrary. "Aviation shame" was not something that bothered her either. Fear of flying, on the other hand - but there was a wide range of magic liquids for that, she calmed herself.
"Bengt, a package has arrived for you," Nini called out as he passed through the security gate. Bengt Vareide was the company's general manager, or CEO as it said on his business card and the company's website.
"Okay, sounds exciting. And it's not my birthday either. When did this arrive?"
"Delivered 15 minutes ago, I think."
"OK, thanks. No breathing holes to be found, so it's probably not a pet. In other words, the unpacking can wait a bit," he said, smiling slyly in his beard.
Nini giggled. There was something down-to-earth and charming about this local man, which only emphasized the lottery-winning feeling. She would give her left arm for leaders like this, albeit figuratively.
"By the way, Nini, there's a car right outside here. A bit oddly placed? I assume you have control of it," he asked on his way into the elevator, without waiting for an answer.
Car? she thought. She couldn't see anything from where she was sitting. She looked at the surveillance cameras on the screen next to her. Hm, nothing there either. Or - on one of the three cameras covering the entrance area, she could barely spot the left headlight of a car.
She agreed; it was a slightly odd placement. And right where there was obviously a blind spot. Coincidence?
"Ivar, can you check the car right outside here?" she commanded over the intercom to the security control center in the room next to the reception desk.
She had barely had time to say it, before a violent shockwave hit her. She was thrown sideways to the right along the reception desk while the outer wall was blown into pieces in the same direction. The glass in the entrance area exploded into tiny projectiles with the potential to penetrate everything on their journey through the reception. Then everything went black - and the silence was only disturbed by an intense howl from an alarm that had withstood the force of the explosion.
Chapter 3
Odin Å floored the accelerator. The engine roared behind him and threw him through the corners. The Suleskard just before the peak summer vacation season was perfect for him and his companion, a deep red Porsche 911 Carrera S. Relatively high snow curbs still, in some places, gave a wonderful feeling of speed. Almost like the most intense sections of the North Loop, or Nordschleife, at the Nürbürgring, Odin thought. A track he liked to visit during much-needed vacation weeks. Deadly fun, with a focus on fun. Together, he and the car broke most stereotypes for Kripos1 employees. He had always dreamed of a Porsche, so when the opportunity arose for a second-hand import and the dollar exchange rate was still at a reasonable level a few years ago, all hints of misplacement, a forty-year crisis and a desperate cry for attention were smoothly waved away. One of the more precious comments was perhaps from colleagues who thought he had now become Oslo's version of Saga Norén, from the Swedish-Danish TV series The Bridge. Something he could intellectually live with.
Odin was on his way from Oslo to Stavanger. He was assigned to the OLGA bombing. During the morning meeting, they had agreed that he would coordinate Kripos' efforts locally. There was still some organized chaos at the scene and among local police and rescue services, but it looked as if no lives had been lost. A miracle in itself, given the images and video footage they had been sent. He took it for granted that he would have to spend a lot of time locally over the next few weeks, so driving his own car was convenient. Or a good excuse.
"What happens in the corner, stays in the corner" - he reminded himself that Porsche had advertised. He was constantly impressed by the driving characteristics, and he had not yet managed to get the car to drift through the corners on dry asphalt. His courage and head gave way before the car. As expected, there was less traffic up here now before the peak season, but he still had to make room for the occasional German motorhome, and perhaps more importantly - the deadly sheep. The car's Burmester system,
1 Norway’s specialized police crime unit, similar to e.g. FBI
pumping out early 90s prog-metal, offered a forward-looking and motivated driving style. Within the speed limit'ish, of course. You are a cop, after all, he reminded himself. He had to admit that a female colleague at their Bryn office had a point, when she had said at lunch a few days ago that the difference between boys and men is the price of the toys.
Early 90s because it was the band’s best period, before the lead singer suffered periodic voice problems. Sure, they were still good, but everything was better before. Odin had overheard some snotty kids in the Oslo Spektrum cursing "the old shit" they played, but this was a generation characterized by Bieber and algorithm-generated crap, as Odin defined it. Al Gore rhythms. Anyone familiar with the band knew that Images and Words and Awake were classics, not to be dis-respected. In other words - these kids had no libelous power. A fun fact, Odin thought as he “flew” over the mountain, was that the cover of one of the band's later studio albums was embossed with a motif of the Kjerag boulder, which was just a couple of old-fashioned hand-breaking corners down the road from here. An album that had actually won them a Grammy for best metal song. For some reason, Odin almost felt a personal pride on the band's behalf.
Police. Not many people would have thought so when he grew up just outside Trondheim. In a small village where everyone knows everyone, he was known for anything but law-abidingness while growing up. An undeserved reputation, he thought. Most incidents were blown out of proportion by village gossip. However, he would not deny that a lack of access to shop liquor in the formative years from early teens to entering university had provided the basis for occasional episodes. The guys didn't have bad fibers in their bodies, so when they occasionally ended up on the wrong side of the norm, it was always with the best of intentions and usually based on a hopeful warm-up party - often accompanied by late eighties Metallica, Tom Araya’s snarl against everything and everyone, mixed with a dash of Overkill; but unfortunately with homemade drinks of varying quality. It was this lack of quality in the drinks that was the problem. Preferably compounded by greed in terms of the amount of mixing water. Alcohol percentage per penny of finished mixed liquid was the only
decision-making criterion, where the standard volume of the shiny basic raw material was typically a nicely used half-liter Coke bottle.
He himself had a considerable talent for getting out of these "episodes" with a pair of congenital drumstick feet. If all else failed; run. A talent he later confirmed at the Police Academy, with best in class records in both the 800 and 3000. He still enjoyed running, even though his lap times slowly crept upwards. However, these were still at a level that made most criminal fugitives easy prey, should it come to running duels. Something thatunfortunately, he had to admit - happened very rarely.
His mother - "Ma" - had demanded that he return to his home turf after completing his studies. However, he had settled down in the capital. This is where the real crime is. Inexhaustible amounts - in fact, he had used as argument to his defense, without meeting any particular understanding from home. As if this didn't worry her enough, his notorious single life was a perennial topic. His trump card in these discussions was that you can't place potted plants on top of speakers with droplet-shaped tweeters, which makes women unsuitable in almost any properly furnished home. At least in terms of permanent postal address. And the toughest of the tough in the agency lived for and with the job, where relationships never lasted.
After many years in the Oslo police, he had eventually moved over to Kripos and the real good stuff. He worked murders and complicated cases, basically all over the country. Rarely with Hollywood style, glitz or drama, apart from the car. But he enjoyed it. It was problem solving, varied, with good colleagues and it was fundamentally useful to society.
On the way down to Sirdal, he mulled over his impressions from the morning meeting and started brainstorming in relation to clues and motives. So far, everything pointed to a car bomb of medium size. Modern criminal history had shown that almost any idiot could put together such a bomb with the help of online instructions. So - who could have a motive?
Islamists? He doubted it. Traditionally, such terror was aimed at public spaces, to spread maximum fear. This seemed very targeted - against the company, or perhaps the industry.
Foreign states/the Russians? The Norwegian Intelligence Service had a strong focus on this threat, which could conceivably come in many forms. Odin had already requested access to their expertise and documents during the morning meeting. Direct attacks on energy infrastructure, different variants of false flag operations and blame games were conceivable. He couldn't quite fit it all in, but this was not the time to narrow down the options.
Climate activists? They come in all shapes and sizes, Odin thought. He had seen PST2 reports of increasing concern about certain groups. They frequently struck with everything from innocent disruptions of sports events to more serious disruptions of infrastructure. The latter had reportedly resulted in life-threatening situations where, among other things, emergency vehicles were delayed, but the organizations behind them always maintained their innocence and good intentions. PST's increased focus on these groups was due to several developments. Individual elements within these organizations increasingly advocated violence as legitimate, in their "boiling" world.
Perhaps even more frighteningly, these elements found increasing support in both the press and in cultural circles. Several authors had recently advocated terror as the only, last resort, in both fiction and reality. Preferably with an uncritical press in tow, which still saw its only task as bringing this message to the public - unfiltered and unopposed. Since the editorial-controlled press largely supported the CO2 hypothesis, it did not seem to ring any editorial bells, even when engagement turned into extremism.
Financial or industrial players? Could anyone have a direct financial interest in targeting OLGA? Share speculators or short sellers, disgruntled shareholders, competitors for license shares, etc. Again, he doubted.
Climate realists? Could they be believers in operations of this nature, for example to put climate activists in the spotlight? It sounded unlikely, but even on this side the rhetoric had sharpened recently, probably due to the
2 The Norwegian Police National Security Agency
increasingly strained energy situation and the consequences of the renewable energy transition. It still seemed somewhat far-fetched, even though research showed that groups that felt marginalized and deprived of opportunities for public expression or countervailing voices could be radicalized. "If you point out that a black car is demonstrably black, and everyone laughs at you and says it's red, it does something to you over time," a colleague of Odin's had said when they had discussed the phenomenon at lunch recently. The fact that everyone talks about you but refuses to talk to you is gasoline on the fire.
Others? One-man madness with an unclear motive? Misplaced bomb? Revenge motive against company or employees, from former employees, suppliers, etc. Far-right extremists? Nothing should be ruled out at this time.
As he came out on the E39 highway just south of Ålgård, he called his superior, section leader Krogh.
"Å!"
"I'm almost there. Thinking of driving straight to OLGA. Anything new?"
"Nothing special. We're collecting data. Full speed ahead at the crime scene, of course. A separate project group has been set up with people both in Stavanger and here in Oslo. PST as well. They're sending officer Rygg over by plane now. You deal with it."
"Rygg ... thought she was suspended for alleged misconduct or offensive behavior?"
"Dismissed."
"OKAY. Local police. Kripos, PST, the Intelligence Services. Sounds like a possible cluster-fuck, with a high risk of proving all critics and commissions of inquiry right?"
"Possibly. It's up to us to prove otherwise. The case is crying out for all-ofthe-above, so that's how it will be. My superior, Rossi, and the PST chiefs seem to have agreed that the two of you are an unbeatable team."
Odin hung up the phone. Rygg!, he thought. He had nothing against her personally. Quite the opposite, in fact. Straight to the point, quick to respond, professionally rock solid. But that's why she was also a flypaper for trouble, in an increasingly politically correct, easily offended world.
98 octane and a hot dog at Circle K, then the bombsite at Forus and OLGA. This is going to be a long day, he thought.
Chapter 4
The first thing Odin saw when he parked outside the barriers was Rygg. Well, that wasn't quite right. The very first thing he saw was the partially collapsed facade of a modern four-story building. He caught himself thinking that it could have been worse. It was now about ten hours since the explosion, and the area was crawling with various types of service. The press was of course confined behind the barriers, but Odin was surprised that the barriers hadn't been moved further away. That said, the area was so open that with a good lens you would get good pictures almost no matter how far away they placed them.
"Rygg!?"
"Å - you decided to show up? How was the car ride? You didn't consider a sailboat?"
"Glad to see you too. Hard to understand how anyone could find you offensive."
"Agreed. Obviously dismissed. But - focus, Å! There is a lot to deal with here. Between 0700 and 0730, someone parked a car, specifically a reportedly stolen older Ford Focus, in front of the reception. How it could be left there without being immediately ordered to be moved is somewhat unclear. The people working in the reception area are among the few who were seriously injured, so we haven't had a chance to talk to them yet. CEO Vareide has stated that he commented on the car when he came into work, shortly before the crash. He was lucky, as he had just come out of the elevator on the fourth floor when it happened. The pressure from the explosion meant that the elevator almost hit the ground before the emergency brakes kicked in. It could have been an exciting flight. It was probably about the same way Einstein discovered that acceleration and gravity are two sides of the same coin, though more like a voluntary thought experiment in an elevator, almost before he became sexually mature?"
"Einstein ...?" Odin said, somewhat confused.
Rygg continued: "Another question you probably have, Å, is how you can park a car so close to an office building these days. As you can see in the front here, preparations have been made for the installation of adjustable locks in the form of cylindrical bolts that can be raised and lowered hydraulically. So-called bollards. Similar fixed bollards will be installed further out to the sides." She pointed to some holes in a row in front of the entrance. "But - because the building is newly occupied, this is not in place."
"Do you think that could be a contributing or direct reason why this particular building and company was chosen?" asked Odin.
"I won’t rule anything out. The large companies, both within this industry and the supplier industry, finance and also public buildings, generally have one or more forms of such security, is my impression."
"Surveillance footage?"
"Hopefully. Not sure if the servers in the control room behind the reception are alive, but a representative from IT in the company claimed that they are replicating these servers in real time to another location, i.e. with the supplier of the systems."
"Any other cameras around here, including toll stations, etc."
"Of course - local police are gathering material. Any other ideas, Sherlock?"
SHE has libelous power, Odin thought as he took a stroll around the entrance. The way the crime scene looked now, with the building emptied of employees and the technicians left to work in peace, he didn't quite see what he could accomplish. He had, at least for the time being, escaped press responsibility. The chief of police in Stavanger had already held a brief briefing at the police station downtown while Odin was on his way over the mountain.
"Where do you stay, Rygg?" he shouted at the PST investigator.
"The self-service hotel over by the Kvadrat shopping mall. And you?"
"Not booked yet. I might try the same, if available. I'm heading over there now, before I take a trip to the police station. Do you need a ride?"
"Rental car. I will stay here a little longer."
On his way back to the car, Odin deliberately chose the sidewalk as far away from the wolves as possible with their cameras and notebooks. Unfortunately, he saw a gray-bone from the pack cutting out in his direction. Even with middle-distance abilities far above the norm, he wouldn't have time to run away. Besides, there was something familiar about the guy coming towards him.
"Å!"
"That's right. And you are....Stenmark...?"
"Wassberg. You were on the right track. We met earlier in connection with that murder case in Oslo a few years ago."
Odin remembered. Firstly, through the unmistakable overuse of deodorant. But more importantly - this Swede had distinguished himself as an investigative and very knowledgeable guy. Odin could spontaneously develop a rash by interaction with most journalists, but this Wassberg gave the impression of a person who could be trusted, and who could even prove useful to the investigation. At least he had made a positive contribution in connection with this Sagene murder in Oslo.
Wassberg also appeared to be against the grain in relation to much of the thinking in the capital's press. He was obviously in opposition to his own editorial staff, something he could probably afford to live with, since he had, after all, most of his career behind him. The name error was not entirely coincidental - Wassberg actually reminded Odin a lot of today's Stenmark, the man who, like Aksel Lund Svindal, had sensibly - Odin thoughtreplaced, or complemented, downhill skiing with Porsche racing.
"Do you have anything to share with our readers?"
"Not much so far, Wassberg. You probably know about as much as I do at the moment."
"X is overflowing with theories."
"Social Media is still not my thing - nothing has changed there, Wassberg. But, since you can probably give me an overall summary of what's going on out there, shall we make an appointment? Lunch tomorrow? Give me your cell phone number and I'll text you the time and place."
Odin was completely out of touch when it came to social media. He had done fine with teletext until recently, and managed well with text messages, e-mail and online newspapers. Of course, he could get summaries of what was happening on social media from the police's own experts, but it was an OK alibi for meeting Wassberg for other reasons. His employer was among the more aggressive in climate coverage, and with several candidates on the list of possible suspects, Wassberg could perhaps help to understand more of who’s who and what currents were currently running in that direction.
Time to find a roof over my head, Odin thought as the six-cylinder engine snarled into life behind him, while the ever-present seagulls flapped frantically in all directions.
Chapter 5
Ulla Rygg was trying to control a slightly under-boiled egg in the breakfast room when Odin came strolling towards her.
"So you did choose the low-priced Smart hotel too? Doesn't quite match your car, or....?"
"Well – at least it is a better match in relation to the government's regulations for travel expenses. Compliance is essential, you know. That said, I'm unsure about the location. Convenient in relation to the crime scene and the industry - if it is the industry that is attacked; but far away from the police HQ. We'll have to see where the road takes us. Maybe we might as well work from Oslo when the dust has settled?"
"Did you see the press coverage? The news broadcasts last night? The Prime Minister?" she asked.
"Yes, I think I got the most important headlines. The journalists are already going bananas with various theories. And the politicians are currently on autopilot. "An attack on all of us ...... Thoughts go out to the families ...... Avoid speculation ...... No one should feel insecure ......" Pre-written drivel from some advisor-apprentice in the 20s."
"World-class empathy, Å. You're recognizable. Perhaps you should adjust your cynicism down a few notches, at least in a public restaurant filled with possible long ears?"
"Mmm. Speaking of long ears - I'm having lunch with the Swedish wolf Wassberg later today. Good to learn a bit more about the sentiment among the mainstream media in Oslo"
"Yes. They compete for the biggest fonts on the front pages. It's almost 'The Bomb - minute by minute' in all online newspapers and news channels. But now we have to get down to the station - the morning briefing starts in 30. Could I challenge you for a race?"
Odin fiddled with the coffee machine while processing the impressions from the morning meeting. Nothing revolutionary new, but they were beginning
to get an overview of the situation. All the injured seemed to survive, three of them relatively badly injured - all from the office administration based in the reception area. Another three with minor injuries, one on his way to the reception from the outside and two who were on the mezzanine above the reception area on the second floor. It was against all odds no more people were injured, Odin thought, but fortunately the attack happened before the big rush of people arrived - typically 0800-0830. Could this indicate that the culprit(s) did not intend to cause maximum damage?
The technicians' preliminary analysis during the morning meeting also indicated that the explosive force seemed to be carefully portioned. If there was something in Rygg's hypothesis about a lack of external bomb protection, the perpetrator(s) would of course also have observations about when people generally came and went. But if the action itself, and the willingness to go that far, was the message, and not the extent of the damage as such - why detonate at all before or around the morning rush hour - and not late in the evening or during the night?
The meeting also included a review of the organization of the investigation, with responsibilities allocated to the local police, Kripos, PST, Military Intelligence, etc. They had attempted to gather all hypotheses about perpetrator profiles, motives, etc. but quickly realized that it was too chaotic and on too thin a basis. Analysts were in the process of tracing explosives, looking at surveillance images, mobile phone signals in the area, etc. The car, a 3-door Ford Focus, was stolen three weeks ago. The owner had already been more or less checked out of the case.
"I'm going to meet Vareide, OLGA's CEO now," Rygg said on his way past the coffee corner. "Would you like to join me?"
"Mmm yes - maybe so. Where?"
"Here. Interview room 3 on the second floor."
"Great. Then I'll have time before lunch with the Swede. Muffin?"
"Thank you for coming at such short notice, so soon after the incident," Rygg began.
"We all have to contribute here, so we will of course assist as much as possible from the company's side. As you probably realize, there's a lot to tackle, so I hope this first conversation can go relatively quickly. Then we can possibly talk further and go into more depth later?"
Vareide appeared restrained, but his entire body and face clearly showed a marked leader. Moderate on deodorant and aftershave, Odin noticed. He believed he had, and had always had, a uniquely developed sense for smelling and an extremely sensitive nose.
"I understand," Rygg replied. She immediately felt a twinge in the back of her head that told her she had been too short and targeted, and thus appeared to lack empathy.
"I have three employees in hospital, hundreds of employees and relatives who now have no idea where or how they will work, whether the company will even exist or survive. Some of the same things that authorities, owners, license partners, analysts, lenders, insurers, suppliers, the press, etc. are also now asking about. Naturally, we have contingency procedures for such situations, and our emergency response organization is fully mobilized. Currently in a hotel, but we are planning a quick move to more suitable office space. I'm going over there now to look at the premises, and hopefully we can move in immediately.
We currently only operate one field offshore, which is shut down for the time being, partly because some of the control room functions are backed up from shore.
We get some support from the license partners, and Equinor contributes with expertise from its emergency response organization." Vareide took a deep breath and signalled that it was their turn.
Rygg took the hint.
"I assume this came as a shock to you. Have you had any reason to fear something like this, have you had scenarios along these lines, for example in your risk management, and if so, on what basis? Have things happened recently that you think could be linked to this? Threats? Ongoing processes?
Employee conflicts? Legal matters? Foreign activity and geo-political dimensions? Small and large - everything can be relevant here."
Vareide straightened up in his chair. Odin sensed a more energetic CEO.
"As far as I am aware, there are no specific threats against us. Our international activity is minimal, and in countries that are unlikely to invoke religiously motivated actions or anything of a geopolitical nature. We are participating in a development outside New Orleans and have some exploration acreage over there. We also have a small office in Perth, which oversees some exploration off the coast of Australia.
Conflicts ... no, nothing extraordinary. There is always a certain element of conflict in a portfolio of our size, for example in relation to disputes in the offshore licenses or between them - but that's daily business. As everyone knows, the controversy surrounding power from shore for electrification of the offshore installations is a hot topic these days. There are several stakeholders here. Local and regional land-based businesses looking for the lowest possible electricity prices, local landowners and special interests with rights of use where new power lines are planned, local and national politicians with strong opinions, grid-operator Statnett, regulator NVE, etc. But – with one exception, we are only a partner and co-owner where these projects are underway, i.e. the cases are fronted by Equinor and other operators. So most people hardly have any idea that we are involved in these projects. And even if the terrorists – yes, I choose to call them that in this room – are better informed about our role, why would they go after us and not the operators? That would be a gross overreaction in any case, given the (lack of) level of conflict in these cases.
Our industry is a constant target for criticism from climate NGOs and others - the church, grandmothers, roaring youth etc., but I don't believe that these can go that far, even if they partly encourage each other for spiralling content of violence in various forms. We have a pretty good relationship with them and also contribute financially in collaboration with some of them.
So - like I said - most of it I would consider to be everyday things with no potential for such escalation. If you force me to be a bit paranoid - even small things can be important, as you said, Rygg - it's a case that's a bit out of the ordinary right now. Again, I think it's being handled professionally by all parties, but it has some potential for explosive power in these times. You may have heard about Trolltunga, or the Troll’s tongue, a significant gas discovery we made a few years ago?"
Rygg and Å nodded vaguely, unconvincingly.
"Trolltunga is located slightly south and east of Troll, Norway's largest gas field. Trolltunga is also a large field, although holding only about 20% of Troll's total original gas reserves. The challenge is that it turns out that the reservoir extends into an area where work is also underway to develop a large wind farm. Now, the water depth here is so great that the wind farm will be floating, and thus not in direct conflict with the seabed infrastructure for the gas field, but it will make it almost impossible to access the seabed equipment with vessels, rigs and subsea equipment after the wind farm is established, both because of the towers and rotor blades, but also the anchoring systems down to the seabed. It may sound incredible that the authorities have granted over-lapping licenses for both at the same time, if they are mutually exclusive. We haven't got to the bottom of this, but my impression is that the wind farm award-process has been launched or processed too quickly, perhaps due to heavy political pressure and ambitious national targets for growth in the production of so-called green energy.
The public discussion seems to give the impression that one of the projects must be halted – and that it’s completely in the blue which one. For those of us who know the realities, it is obvious that Trolltunga “wins”. The field will produce at least 10-15 times as much energy as the wind farm, both per year and over its lifetime. The business and socio-economic cost of developing the wind farm is also HIGHER than developing Trolltunga. So for both the energy industry and Norway, the answer is obvious, if you ask me.
However, regulators and politicians have so far given the impression that the conclusion is far from certain. This unresolved situation has caused –and is causing – a great deal of temperature and conflict. The fact that Trolltunga is being developed, in accordance with the permits, while the case is still ongoing, clearly provokes many.”
“What about CO2?” Odin asked on reflex, “..... won’t that be in favor of the wind project?”
“Good question. The actual production at Trolltunga will take place with electrified equipment offshore – with electricity from shore. We assume that the electricity will come from a European mix of coal, gas and wind/solar, currently with some emissions – but less than if electricity had been generated offshore from gas turbines. Note that we do not assume clean Norwegian hydropower, as some government agencies do – because we believe this will be used anyway, either in Norway – or exported, to displace “dirty” power generation in Europe.
We then sell the released gas – i.e. the gas we would alternatively have had to burn offshore to generate electricity – from the field. Most of this is currently being burned in Europe. Some is further processed. However, because some is burned within the CO2 quota-obligated sector, some outside, some contributes to increased consumption and some displaces coal, for example, it is extremely difficult to calculate the net effect from such a field. Even over time, when the gas is increasingly made emissionfree through capture and storage (CCS), or by conversion to emission-free (blue) hydrogen or ammonia, where CO2 is captured and stored as part of the process.
When you add to this the emissions from the fabrication of the plants, equipment, wind turbines, etc. the figures become even more complicated. I’ve seen countless studies on this, but so far no clear, consistent conclusions.
Then, of course, there are the emissions from the use of the actual gas produced from Trolltunga, i.e. the gas that would have been sold regardless of electrification or not. Known as “Scope 3” emissions in technical
language. These emissions are large at the end user, and of course “infinitely” much higher than from wind power, as your question maybe pointed at. However, the question here is what is the alternative - would customers have to burn other gas anyway, or be forced to use more coal - or invest more in wind or solar power? Or could they do without, through reduced activity, standard of living, etc.
So - yes, the short answer to your question is that the gas project will probably produce greater emissions than the wind farm, but how much greater is difficult to say. We believe it has to be weighed up against the benefits of energy intensity and total energy demand in Europe. I could talk a lot more about that, but that's for another session. Or I can give you the name of an employee who can go into more depth in relation to both the project and the CO2 value chains. Anything else we need to cover now that is urgent?"
"No, thank you again for your time," said Rygg, as she stood up and shook hands with the charming, bearded man.
"And good luck with getting the company operational again. I'm sure we'll talk again soon." She tried to give him a motivational smile on her way out the door.
- I'm glad I'm not in his shoes, she thought.
Chapter 6
Odin just had time to sit down before Wassberg entered the door of the relatively new and modern restaurant, taking far too long steps towards the table. Probably to compensate for his relatively modest height above sea level. He'd heard good things about this place, which, incredibly, was only a two-minute walk from the police station. Literally speaking just across the street. Which seemed a bit strange, since they were not in the middle of the city center, but kind of in the middle of nowhere, between the city center and the surrounding neighborhoods. Where mostly only cars passed by in both directions, with no obvious public parking facilities and few pedestrians. Odin had been told that this was the same location where Statoil started up in 1972. He wasn't sure whether to believe that, but at some point he would probably check it out. It was just the way he was wired.
"Howdy," Odin said wryly, noting that Wassberg's brand of deodorant probably matched one he himself used extensively a few years ago.
"Jawohl?" Wassberg said - probably as a nod to the local ‘siddies' strange greeting.
"Are you hungry?"
"Always. Both for news and business."
"Unfortunately, there's not much I can help you with there. The matter is by no means resolved, to say the least - and the state doesn't normally cover journalists' meals either."
"I thought so. But since I'm also on a diet-eligible business trip, I'll overlook your pettiness," said the Swede, with a twinkle in his eye - fully aware of the self-shot he could be accused of having fired.
They each ordered a pizza before Odin took over.
"What are MSM’s hottest theories about the attack? And your own editorial team?"
"Not good to say. Easier to point out who they - and we at the News Magazine - don't want to be behind it."
"Which is? Sorry – is not ..."
"Islamic fundamentalists, that is, someone who abuses Islam - or someone who abuses the climate dilemma, or takes it too far."
"Because..."
"Because most Oslo newspapers, including my own, are co-owners of the PC narrative that says that multiculturalism is preferable - the more, the better; and that climate change is the most important topic of our time. Those who believe this are the Good Guys in today's society. Those who do not blindly and immediately agree, including those who, for example, try to nuance the picture, are The Bad Guys. There should preferably be no bad guys on the "MSM side". Should it turn out that there are, they are victims of something. For example, the ineptitude of the police, who were unable to apprehend them in time - poor things. Or that through the confusion and mess, often due to a lack of communication or information sharing between the agencies, contributed to them carrying out the act everyone saw coming."
"So they're hoping for the far-right, which 'nobody' likes?" Odin barely bothered to make air quotes with his fingers.
"They are at least looking there, as far as I can see. As well as some other places. Nothing wrong with that, given the statistics on perpetrators convicted of terrorism here in Norway over the last 10-15 years. What all the places they search have in common, however, is what reminds me of the joke about the guy who lost his keys in the dark. He chose to look some distance away from where he lost them, under a lamp post, where at least there was light..."
"Nice picture, Wassberg. But what do you think? What is your main theory?"
"Hmm - at the risk of being too long and rambling, and this is definitely offthe-record, but you get the idea. This is what I think."
Chapter 7
Ulla Rygg sat in an assigned office at the station in Lagårdsveien, processing her impressions from Vareide. She considered calling her superior in Nydalen, Oslo for an overview of the situation, but instead took out her laptop to process the list of items she had collected so far. There wasn't much to add to what Vareide had said, but she had noted Trolltunga, wind power and electricity from shore as new key words during the conversation.
Although the head of OLGA couldn't be more than 5-10 years older than her, she projected her father in him. The good-natured style. Wry humor and inexhaustible charm. Anything but what you might associate with a military career, but throughout her childhood she had followed him in various places, depending on where his services were required. Among other things, this had given her an indeterminate dialect, and she also thought that the rootlessness she often felt probably stemmed from this. Where is home? she thought when she occasionally fell into philosophical thoughts.
Perhaps it was also her good relationship with her father that meant she largely repeated the pattern. With both her officer training from Harstad up north and more than 20 years of previous experience from the Norwegian Armed Forces, Rygg was above average in her focus on structure in her work. This was something she brought with her into PST when she chose to move to a different field a few years ago. This covered everything from overall organization and role distribution to less important details.
In the last category, definitely the challenge she now had in front of her on the screen, namely getting the indents in Word to end up right under each other - with equal distance from the left margin. There was always chaos with these microscopic, unruly black tabs across the ruler or whatever you want to call it at the top of the page. They took on a life of their own. Not even juicy swearing or crude physical threats helped. Excel was better at this, but now it was too late.
She thought she was pretty good at IT, or EDP as she still called it. All too often, however, "it" didn't work. Many a help-desk employee had felt her
wrath, or direct style, as it was more officially called. Innate, but shaped to perfection in the Armed Forces. A definite asset, she thought. The easily offended obviously had a different view. This had recently got her in trouble, and she was unsure whether the management actually thought the violations she had been accused of were "acceptable", or whether it was the ongoing situation that demanded closure. In any case, she had received both messages at the same time. Case closed - get to work, i.e. Forus, ASAP.
She had thought that she was chosen because management knew she was the only one without commitments at home, which was a definite advantage if you have to commit to days or weeks out of town at short notice. Since she'd kicked Jonas out six months ago, because he was such an easily offended snowflake, she'd felt surprisingly fine. Freedom should not be underestimated, she had come to realize. So there was no rush or stress towards new adventures. Male colleagues had been unable to avoid pointing out that the turnover rate of her male acquaintances in recent years was above average.
One of her more environmentally conscious colleagues had asked if she used cotton nets when she threw them out, or if they went into plastic bags. With such a consumption pattern, he had said, she could pose an environmental threat if she preferred plastic. To which she had replied that cotton carrier nets need to be used 60-70 times to beat a plastic bag on sustainability. Maybe more.
"As many times as you threw out the last guy, surely cotton would have been competitive," another had said, laughing so hard that tears rolled down his cheek.
With regard to the division of roles in this case, she saw a bit of a problem. Odin Å was a legend in the Oslo police force, and they had worked well together previously. However, their relationship with the Intelligence Service was more ambiguous, but her background from the Norwegian Armed Forces mitigated this somewhat. Networks should never be underestimated, she thought.
Speaking of networks, she also had a friend in Statnett. Perhaps that could be something to draw on in relation to this ongoing conflict between the development of Trolltunga and the wind farm? She had heard the most incredible stories about such conflicts before, while she was in the Norwegian Armed Forces. Both through their involvement in handling civil disobedience and through her friend's stories about the processing of licenses and the like, where local interests were at stake. The Fosen case with reindeer owners and eventually electrification of the LNG plant at Melkøya were probably the best known, but the number and scope increased as the electricity situation became more acute as a result of society's need for electrification.
Good to have a possible source in the "bank", she thought before folding up her laptop.
Chapter
8
"My experience", Wassberg continued, "is that the editorial offices in Oslo are very consensus-focused in their climate coverage. I have tried to write articles with other angles than that the climate is only controlled by CO2 , for example after interviewing solar scientists, climate realists and talking to friends with a geology degree. And discussed with colleagues in other newspapers. It's completely impossible, and is heavily and flatly rejected. Why do I put up with it, you ask? Why not move to new turf? To where - I would answer. All editorial offices are the same, at least within the big newspaper or media houses. I've come to terms with this, and my career will soon be over anyway. I'm therefore spending my last few years being the hair in the soup that will hopefully eventually make the chef wear a hat, if you get the analogy.
I am not challenging the CO2 hypothesis as such. CO2 is obviously a greenhouse gas. However, there is obviously a large global research community - or communities - that have solid data showing that natural variations dominate. And that the sun is of course important, and that cloud formation and steam etc. play a major role. If you look at climate in geological time, it is also undoubtedly the case that it has been significantly warmer in the past. Species diversity was also greater when it was warmer and more lush."
"Is there a point coming soon, relevant to this discussion and the case?" Odin broke in as pizza was put on the table. It smelled heavenly.
"Sure - but I said it could be long ... Let me see here. I jotted down some facts here earlier today, after some checking I did." Wassberg opened his notes on his phone.
"Yes, here. 9de March 2017, the then news editor of NRK said on “The Debate” that in the climate debate they had decided that it was 'important for them to give the impression that there was no more than one view in climate research', when such a large alleged majority of scientists supported the IPCC and the CO2 hypothesis. They had developed a compass, as she said. This fits well with revelations made in 2015 by a brave and thorough
journalist in a small Norwegian weekly newspaper that NRK had decided to allow only one side in the “debates” and the run-up to the Paris conference. This directive was sent to all district offices, and created some friction within NRK. No one wanted to confirm this publicly.
"It sounds a bit North Korean?" Odin blurted out.
"Yes, indeed. I have spoken to colleagues who have verified this from the inside, and even have email correspondence with the NRK editor before she changed jobs, which confirms that she is correctly interpreted. The pattern is similar in our editorial department. There is uniformity and an increasing degree of campaign journalism, for example around conferences, so-called heat records, new IPCC reports, elections, etc. The professional IPCC reports are more balanced, but the summary is always politically driven, and UN chief Guterres himself is completely out of control in his speeches and on social media. No anchoring in the scientific reports."
"App app app app - so-called heat records? They're real and measured, aren't they?" Odin broke in.
"Yes, but there are always relative records in the sense that it has either not been measured warmer since the last time it was this warm - or it has never been MEASURED this warm. This normally refers to measurements with fairly modern equipment - within the last 50-100 years, for example. You never get the big picture, for example that the heatwave is obviously also due to other things, such as El Nino. Or that we are living in a historically cold era. When the newspapers - and politicians - say that the last five years are among the warmest in history, I usually tell my colleagues that we should instead write that the last five years are among the coldest ever. Measured in geological time, or even in "recent times", such as the last 5000 years. The world has almost always been much warmer than now, if you exclude ice ages.
Professionally, I also think it's journalistic laziness, since you can always create an impression of a condition or trend by finding a new place that always sets a weather record. The rise of the internet and social media has given instant access to such events globally, but of course there have always
been weather-related disasters or events of varying severity. In today's "CapsLock journalism", which can be read instantly all over the world, it is easy to create the impression that things are getting worse. In recent summers, newspapers have encouraged Norwegians on vacation to get in touch if they are suffering due to heat. There is little point in making such reports about people freezing on vacation, which statistically would be more dangerous. The idea is to create an image that the planet is boiling.
The US has its own weather channels that report the weather for a living, and they can barely make a living without sensationalizing any weather, all year round. CNN's most famous anchor a few years back, Anderson Cooper, and a colleague were caught red-handed when they claimed the water was up to their thighs. The problem was that they had deliberately stood in a ditch. Similarly, Susanna Ohlen of RTL was caught getting covered in mud when reporting on flooding in Germany in 2021.
I had a funny experience some time ago. Do you remember the extreme weather "Hans" that caused major flooding, especially in Eastern Norway and up inland? A debate editor of one of the online newspapers wrote a kind of travel letter from, presumably, his home town or from his vacation trip, about how bad it was. Then he chastised anyone who doesn't want to deal with the scientists on climate change, and said that we'll get more of this. The problem is that in its latest report, the IPCC concludes that so far they can find no evidence of anything other than natural variations in relation to such weather phenomena. They have some doubts about heat waves and forest fires.
So he - who cursed all the climate deniers - had not understood what his own "team" actually has stated on the matter. I tried to get him to talk about this, but he remained silent. That's some debate editor. No debate, please. The next day, TV2 wrote about climate psychologists who thought "Hans" could be a revelation for "fact deniers". One of them, incredibly enough, is the head of an institute for climate psychology. Yes - such entities seem to exist, Å! He said these people were like a cult, refusing to face reality. Priceless! I'd like to see the look on his face if the journalist had
pointed out that the IPCC must be part of that "cult". We’re allowed to dream, Å. Right?
And it didn't get any better with the creation of the fact-checking body “faktisk.no”. The alibi was to fact-check own material from the sponsors of faktisk.no and others, as well as statements from politicians and others in the public domain. A justifiable initiative in a Trumpian era of alternative facts.
The problem is that in practice this has become yet another means of silencing the voices that do not abide with MSM’s sentiment. On many issues, but especially on climate change. They have even partnered with Facebook to control what views are published there in relation to climate change. There are ugly stories about how people have been blocked from making legitimate comments and pointing out real issues and events. They also sometimes label opinions as "wrong" in their fact checks. In other words, subjective views like "I like yellow cars best". Used in political debate, this kind of muscle becomes quite powerful."
"People will say you sound paranoid now, Wassberg," Odin said, with a certain impatience in his tone.
"Definitely. I sometimes catch myself - can it be that bad? I see perhaps a small gap now in some newspapers, even in the so-called mainstream media - MSM. That is, they - not us - are allowing alternative voices. The war in Ukraine and the necessary focus on energy security, as well as podcasts, alternative media and systematic communication by climate realists over time will and should have an effect. But - and here I am at the core; it is still legitimate in all walks of life and forums to mock, ridicule and marginalize their views. All prime ministers over the past 20 years do and have done so. All parties in, or aspiring to, the Norwegian Parliament do it. Perhaps with a few exceptions. The royal family does it, albeit with a certain amount of finesse, and perhaps after a certain amount of expectation pressure. All major media and TV companies. The school system up to university level. Parts of academia, including at a higher level.
However, Stoltenberg showed more sobriety after his time as prime minister, including in his discussion of "The Climate-Industrial Complex” in his 2016 book. This was probably inspired by Eisenhower’s warning against the military-industrial complex in the 1960s, namely that such a strong movement could affect almost all parts of society if unleashed. Including fishing for public funding.
What are you then left with? Who can you "appeal" or report to? Or even worse - what does the rising generation think? All the adults they choose or are forced to listen to outside the safe walls of their families are practically screaming at them that the planet is burning. Is it any wonder they mobilize for school strikes, like the girl from my home country? Young people who parade for climate, and organize themselves in NGOs, including the more militant ones. If preventing further oil and gas production is the only way they can see to save their lives on earth, how far are they willing to go to save themselves? This message is the only one they have heard, if they were born after 1990. It becomes an obvious perception of reality.
Back to my cheat-sheet. NRK Debatten hosted a panel with the entire spectrum of Norwegian climate advocates in November 22, where one of the most extreme advocated possible violent actions, for example against the oil industry. Several of his "friends" on the panel appeared shaken. Butafter emphasizing that they were shaken, several repeated in the next breath that ".........., BUT - the planet is burning, so we must do everything we can ......". In other words, none of them took a shred of responsibility for having fostered the extremists among them. I am unsure whether these elderly climate chiefs possess such self-awareness. Of course, they will never admit guilt. They are the best of the Good Guys. And they Believefully and completely. And - this has become a livelihood!"
Odin had finished the pizza. It was a bit much, and he was therefore a little nauseous. But he wasn't sure if it was partly due to Wassberg. It was a strong, but hard to digest story. Many of his observations matched his own, but overall it all seemed a bit conspiratorial.
"So it boils down to the fact that you think extreme climate activists may be behind it - and that they have the motivation, legitimacy and ability to carry it out?" Odin asked.
"To a certain extent, yes. But also that the media underestimate how damaging their bias can be. They may have believed that the issue is so important that even fundamental democratic and journalistic principles can give way. I don't understand how we dare to indulge in such thinking. And how will they, slash "we", cover this story if you find out that such forces are behind it? You should probably expect considerable resistance and creativity in the press if you catch the "wrong" villain - guilty or not.
Yes - I forgot one thing. My compatriot Andreas Malm, known for his book "How to blow up a pipeline", but also a professor at Lund University, said in an interview with The Guardian that there is no escaping violent action. Preferably against the fossil fuel industry. He criticizes even the most militant ones, such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, for being too nice. "There is a lot of underlying communism, indeed, I would almost say fascism, in the more radical climate communities. Erik Solheim, former minister from the Socialist Party, is reported to have said something along the lines that China is a perfect country to implement a green shift. As many have pointed out - the climate issue, and the most influential "climate" parties, are much like a watermelon; green on the outside and red on the inside. However, the statement may not only be based on ideology, but also on the fact that a dictatorship is probably the only way to implement such major changes. With brute force, without anyone being able or daring to protest - when the standard of living, and individual freedom, deteriorates dramatically.
We are seeing a tendency in several Western countries now for politicians to slow down the pace of the green shift when reality hits them and voters begin to suffer under the weight of measures. Odin looked at his watch. He had jotted down a number of names, dates and key words. A useful lunch, after all. But both the pizza and the stories needed to be digested.
"Thanks for the interesting perspectives," he said.
"There was a lot to reflect on, and I can't believe that your description of uniformity and almost censorship and exclusion is a deliberate editorial line. Or that there is a conspiracy across politics, media houses, businesses and NGOs. In that case, it's close to the encyclopedic definition of fascism. And if deep down they really have a more balanced view, how dare the decisionmakers gamble with energy security? It's unfathomable."
"I don't believe in any organized conspiracy across social institutions. Groupthink, a certain left-wing bias in academia and journalism, and among NGOs, may help them "find" each other. The way they treat those who think differently also acts as a kind of glue. It takes a lot of courage to break the pattern. The Norwegian Journalists' Association has stated in its political program that:
Climate change affects the whole of society and will also affect the development of the media in the years to come. NJ recognizes the climate challenges and will work to ensure that we and the media companies take climate responsibility. And -
NJ will take climate change into account in its work.
This is a relatively general and objective formulation, but nevertheless an obvious assertion-based coordination of focus, which I believe contributes to the uniformity and weakens the role of the "Fourth Estate".
I encourage you to check other sources in the community. Watch the recordings from the debate in the NRK archive. Or, try to get a sober but counter-current letter to the editor about what I've just mentioned published in a major newspaper. It won't work. I've given you a number of examples - I could go on for hours. But it's unlikely to bring you any closer to a solution. My main point is that there are probably climate warriors out there who believe such attacks are acceptable and necessary, and they may even feel - rightly or wrongly - that they have indirect political support. Or acceptance from the media and the public in general." Wassberg was deadly serious in both voice and body language as they stood up.
"Thank you. You'll be hearing from me," Odin concluded. A short guy, but big character, he thought, on his way out into the damp July cold.