Grey Lady - Lost Gardens of HeliganMoss Art Reverie | Wandering the Lost Gardens of Heligan AOC Style

Anne of Carversville makes no claim to passing a Green Beings litmus test. Our own consciousness is raised researching these articles; we learn as we write.  My own heritage is very mixed, making me a cultural American mutt: Swedish, Danish, British and German. Four grandparents; four countries.

In studying the evolution of environmentalism and my place in it — being a talented businessperson with a conscience — I can identify with being a ‘bright green’, supporting the idea that we can neither protest or shop our way to sustainability.

We must protest more and shop less, but neither will get us where we are going — like it or not.

‘Bright green’ environmentalists believe that radical changes are needed in the economic and political operation of society in order to make it sustainable, but that better designs, new technologies and more widely-distributed social innovations are the means to make those changes.

Studying Scandinavian lifestyles and its political systems convinces me that many elements of a ‘deep green’ philosophy align themselves with the ‘bright greens’. The ‘bright greens’ notably live in the Scandinavian countries, Britain and Germany.  While they don’t reject consumption and consumerism, and certainly not technology, the connection between humans and nature is front and center in their thinking, design and consumption choices.

The Norse cultures of Scandinavia are rich with gods and goddesses, long after so-called ‘paganism’ was banished by Christianity, which seeks to triumph over nature. God gave men (not women) dominion over all the earth and its inhabitants from animals to women.

Mudmaid - Lost Gardens of HeliganBeing a novice in this intellectual discipline, it makes sense to me that ‘bright green’ flourishes in Scandinavia’s rich secular culture, one that honors the spirituality of nature. Looking at three eco-travel or getaway concepts in Sweden, the first STF Kolarbyn/Eco-lodge is probably ‘deep green’ and the most ‘back to nature’ in the purest sense. 

The other two concepts: Treehotel and ICEHOTEL are blended experiences, with ICEHOTEL being Smart Sensuality sophisticated. All three ideas seem removed from the American consciousness, perhaps only because I haven’t educated myself on authentic green, communing with nature travel options in the US.

Communing with Nature in Sweden

STF Kolarbyn/Eco-lodge

Most people don’t consider electricity or running water as a disturbance to communing with nature. At Sweden’s STF Kolarbyn/Eco-lodge, you can happily fall asleep in front of the crackling fireplace and awake to beautiful bird song and a fresh swim in the lake.