  EnvironmentEnvironmental measures There are high fines for pollution, also for those who have only thrown a soda can on the ground. Because this is actively enforced the streets in Friland are spotless. Litter is collected separated and recycled. Over this litter environmental tax has to be paid: the more litter and CO2 emission a company or household produces, the more it has to pay. All cars have to be equipped with a catalytic converter, soot filter and other environment-friendly measures. To compensate their emission car owners have to pay additional tax, which is used to benefit the environment. People with an economical car have to pay less and those who choose for green electricity and other durable provisions will receive subsidy for it. In Friland the polluter has to pay and the environmentally aware citizens are rewarded, which stimulates people to produce as few litter as they can, buy an economic car and use durable energy sources as much as possible. Durable energy The Riksþing regularly finances researches into the development of cars that use cleaner technologies like hybrids and cars with electro engines or hydrogen engines. A lot of money is also spent on alternative energy like windmills, solar collectors and hydrogen plants. The best example of energy production with hydropower is the Aigardam southwest of Ermanhuf, which supplies 800.000 people with clean electricity. Animal rights In the Frilandic religion, which is called "Ferna Sed" (the ancient tradition), the earth is sacred and man is seen as a part of the animal kingdom. It is also believed that animals have a soul too. Although nature doesn't adhere to human laws, the Frilanders do believe that human laws should take nature into consideration. Because of this animal rights are a part of Frilandic law. This goes so far, that a mistreated animal has the right to have its own lawyer that will speak on its behalf in the indictment against the perpetrator. Although the law grants people more rights than animals, the animals are still better off in Friland than in most other countries: pets and livestock for example have the right to be treated well, receive sufficient and healthy food, medical care and protection. Hunting Wild animals, who thus do not have an "owner", must seek their own food and protection. But just like domesticated animals they still have the right to be treated well. Therefore killing an animal is only allowed with a hunting license or when it poses a threat, in which its death should be as painless as possible. Although every Frilandic citizen has hunting rights, there is but a limited number of woods where hunting is allowed. Battues and other harmful forms of hunting are forbidden. By the way, in Friland the hunt is steeped in rituals; for example, after the hunt is over a part of the catch is sacrificed to the god Ing to thank him. It is also customary that after killing an animal the hunters touch the ground and thereby speak the incantation "Rast fur þin saiwal" (Rest for your soul) to help the soul of the animal make the crossing to the afterlife. In the rest of Europe this is considered totally ridiculous, but in Friland it is almost natural to do this.  The Sparwalþ All nature reserves are supervised by the Leibhaimward ("Environmental Protection"). All of the territory that hasn't been cultivated by man, including most of the territorial waters, is considered "natural terrain", i.e. everything except cities, villages, fields, roads, railroads and other human constructions. These natural terrains are divided into three classes: There are two nature reserves that belong to class 1: the biggest and most spectacular is the Sparwalþ, which spans almost one half of the shire of Nurþland, including mount Gamalhurn and the surrounding waters. Due to the size of the Sparwalþ there is a considerable amount of animal herds and sufficient territories for predators. The other class 1 area consists of the islands Idalhulm, Lutilhulm and the ocean floor around these islands. This area is especially important for birds and sea creatures. The Sparwalþ The most special nature reserve is without a doubt the Sparwalþ. Its status as a class 1 nature reserve, in which no human activity is allowed, is difficult for outsiders to understand. After all, it is a large, fertile piece of land with a river that could have fed countless villages and towns. However, the Sparwalþ has traditionally been a very important place for the Ferna Sed faith, which considers it sacred ground. According to tradition, the arrival of the first inhabitants of Friland disturbed the gods, spirits and other higher powers present there. To restore balance, the settlers promised to leave the Sparwalþ alone. In return, the higher powers gave the Frilanders prosperity and protection. Since then, Ferna Sedars believe that the survival of Friland depends on how the Sparwalþ is treated. Even in Friland itself, the status of the area has been controversial for centuries. Opponents of the class 1 status find it incomprehensible that a fertile land full of interesting resources can not be inhabited and exploited "because of an ancient superstition." In political decision-making, however, the Sparwalþ is largely left alone; by the conservatives because they usually represent the interests of the Ferna Sed faith and by the progressives because they do not want to lose votes to this hot topic. Nevertheless, people built illegal settlements to exploit the Sparwalþ and its resources, such as Skaunhaim, Walþsþurp and Brunberg. These villages were a thorn in the side of the Ferna Sedars, which regularly led to violent confrontations. In 1956 the Riksþing decided to force a solution: the Sparwalþ became forbidden territory and everything within it was expropriated and evacuated. The boundaries of the area were also precisely defined in order to silence the discussion about it. The Sparwalþ was traditionally bordered by the Skaiþar, the Langferþ, the Reganferþ and the Innansai. The coastal strip on the Innansai was left outside the border, so that a highway and railway line to Langmark could be built here. To compensate, part of the Swartuzd Mountains and a piece of land west of the Skaiþar were added, near Erþsbrun. Since then it's clear to everyone where human civilization ends and rugged nature begins.  |