Old growth forests are unique and undisturbed ecosystems, where every organism, every interaction is a book of its own. When an old growth forest is cut down, all of this is destroyed. Like knocking down a library just to sell the walls.

There is an old saying — you can’t see the forest for the trees — about how we often miss the bigger picture. When I was a child, nature made me feel connected. I was thinking that the forest where I played would last forever. That I would grow old with them.

But now, when I visit these places, I see something else. Stories I need to share. Old growth forests are unique and undisturbed ecosystems, where every organism, every interaction is a book of its own. When an old growth forest is cut down, all of this is destroyed. Like knocking down a library just to sell the walls.

I think most people see Norway as a country of endless wilderness. But as a forest biologist, I mostly see green deserts. Clear cuts and empty stands of planted trees where nothing grows back to its original state. The old forests that protect the environment, our climate, our future — they have no protection, no laws against clear cutting. But we are hoping to change that.

Researching, communicating, inspiring people to think differently. Because our next generations deserve a chance to make the same sacred connections like the ones I had, when I was a child. And the more people that hear these stories behind the trees, the better able we are to protect them.

Currently less than 4% of the Norwegian forest is protected by law. Norwegian environmentalists are working to protect 10% by 2025. To make that happen, the Norwegian parliament must increase the budget for forest conservation so that the forest owners can get economically compensated. Norway needs a forest conservation billion to save its own forest, just like we spend 3 billion Norwegian kroner on saving tropical rainforests. We are definitely able to do both.

Story by a Trude Myhre. Trude is a forest biologist with WWF in Norway.

Art by Stefanie Bendfeldt. Stefanie is a German illustrator and part of Climate Illustrated’s art team.