Nature is not the antithesis of man – although that’s how we often talk about it.
Nature is already in people. And when we, as humans, are also in nature, we get a chance to get to know it – on its own terms. Nature doesn’t have to prove its worth or make itself useful. It has value in itself. The moment we learn to appreciate that value, we become whole people.
Latest writings
Wolves can only be shot when it’s a “problem wolf”. But when is it?
The wolves in Oksbøl do not justify regulating the size of the total protected wolf population in Denmark. But some wolves may be "problem wolves" and can be shot, says Bengt Holst
Life and death are often two sides of the same coin
We must learn to distinguish between death in our own ranks, which naturally causes grief and requires its own approach, and death in nature, which has a very important function, writes former zoo director Bengt Holst
Copenhagen Zoo received 40,000 emails about the euthanasia of a giraffe. And came out of the storm stronger
10 years after Copenhagen Zoo was caught in a global shitstorm over the killing of a giraffe, the zoo's scientific director at the time, Bengt Holst, reflects on the public giraffe autopsy and the subsequent protests and death threats
Plastic waste: What do we do with floating plastic piles bigger than Denmark? The ocean is not an infinite garbage can
A behavioral change is needed for those who seem to believe that the ocean is a limitless dumping ground. Plastic waste in the oceans is a growing problem
Our urge to look after the cottage cat is actually dangerous for it
At some point, the vacation ends and reality sets in for the cat the family has taken in
Without popular support, green tripartite will not be historic
The ambitions of the Green Tripartite are high. It could be a crucial turning point for Danish nature policy. But only time will tell if it's realistic
Is the dog law precise enough?
The Dog Act is unclear in several areas, which can have serious consequences for both dogs and owners. The Animal Ethics Council is now calling on the Minister of Food to evaluate the law and ensure that the rules are fair, accurate and based on professional assessment. In particular, the rules on breed bans and dog bites should be reviewed to avoid unreasonable euthanizations and create a more transparent practice.
Dogs are called man’s best friend – but is the opposite also true?
Many flat-nosed dog breeds struggle with severe breathing problems as a result of breeding that has focused on appearance over health. The Animal Ethics Council has been warning against this practice for years, but to no avail. Now the Council is calling on the Minister of Food to intervene with legislation to set clear limits on breeding so that animal welfare does not continue to be overridden in favor of human preferences.
Need for innovation in equestrian sports
Denmark is among the world's best equestrian nations, but the success of equestrian sport should not be at the expense of the horses' welfare. Behind the medals, there is a high level of ambition that can put pressure on the horses both physically and mentally. The Animal Ethics Council calls for a greater focus on horse welfare in the sport - from better control of equipment to a changed approach to how horse performance is assessed.
Equestrian sports: We are among the world’s best equestrian nations, but animal ethics are lacking
Animal ethics in equestrian sports: There is a need for new thinking in equestrian sports if they are to remain an accepted sport in Denmark and if they are to live up to the ethical ideals described by the industry itself
Nature is part of our integrity
Throughout my career, I’ve believed that we all have a need to have nature around us. It’s not something we think about on a daily basis – it’s a given.
Of course, there’s a reason why we go to the forest or the beach when we go for a walk, or why we keep pets or have potted plants in the window. It’s because we have a basic need to have something living around us.
Overall, I don’t believe in a ‘god’. But I do believe in the enormous power of nature – not as a being that means us good or bad, but as a force that is far greater than us and is the driving force behind everything that happens. A force we need to respect. A force that we are just a tiny part of.
You can read more about my view of nature here.
