This bonus episode of The Black Thread zooms in on a single case that distills the Norwegian paradox perfectly: the planned electrification of the gas processing plant on Melkøya. It’s a key conflict site where Norway’s net zero transformation collides with its fossil fuel industry, Indigenous rights, the youth climate movement, worker safety, and even criticism from the United Nations.
The Black Thread is a new documentary podcast unravelling Norway’s complex relationship with prosperity, identity, and responsibility in a warming world.
Despite being legally bound to global climate goals, acknowledging the growing risks of climate change, and cherishing its self-image as a responsible, nature-loving champion of human rights…Norway continues to drill for oil.
Over the past half-century, oil has woven itself into the fabric of Norwegian life – from culture to politics, from education to everyday identity.
But what happens when the story of oil as prosperity, pride, and progress collides with the realities of the climate crisis?
Guided by experts, campaigners, journalists, and industry insiders, The Black Thread explores how the contradictions at the heart of Norway’s identity and reputation are sustained, and how Norwegians try to make sense of them.
The Black Thread is a collaboration between Communicating Climate Change and Klimakultur, a Norwegian non-profit focused on building knowledge and community around climate, nature, and justice.
This bonus episode of The Black Thread zooms in on a single case that distills the Norwegian paradox perfectly: the planned electrification of the gas processing plant on Melkøya. It’s a key conflict site where Norway’s net zero transformation collides with its fossil fuel industry, Indigenous rights, the youth climate movement, worker safety, and even criticism from the United Nations. 👉 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The Black Thread is written and narrated by Dickon Bonvik-Stone
Produced and edited by Live Sollid Schulerud
Executive Producer is Vigdis Bonvik-Stone
The research for this podcast episode was made possible thanks to the support of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue’s Climate Change Disinformation Media Fellowship 2025.
The views and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue.
