In 2022, we put the pandemic partly behind us, but it was still a rough year for many with war in Europe and high prices for both electricity and food.
But all was not smooth sailing.
1. Love won
There are still countries in the world that do not allow two people of the same sex to marry, but love also prevailed in several places.
LEGAL: Cuba legalizes same-sex marriage. Here Mariela Castro, daughter of Ruel Castro, waves a rainbow flag during the pride parade in Havana 2018. Photo: Desmond Boylan / AP Photo: YAMIL LAGE/AFP
In Cuba, they had a referendum in September that ended with a clear majority in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. In Mexico, too, it became legal throughout the country in 2022.
2. More tigers than we thought
The tiger is the largest living feline and can weigh over 300 kilograms. The animal has been widespread over large parts of Asia, but the population has been greatly reduced, and more live in captivity than in the wild, writes Store Norske Leksikon.
NOT AS THREATENED: This photo shows a Bengal Tiger in Kaziranga National Park in 2014. Photo: AFP/STR
But now there has been some good news. The international conservation organization International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that there are 40 percent more wild tigers than previously thought. Due to better methods of monitoring, it has been found that the population is more stable than was thought, he writes The Guardian.
3. Love won again
STAYING TOGETHER: More people are staying together this year than last year, preliminary calculations from the Norwegian Tax Agency show. Photo: Gorm Kallestad
According to figures from the Swedish Tax Agency, there appear to be fewer divorces this year than last year. On 23 November, 7,771 Norwegian divorces were registered, and they believe the number will land at approximately 8,500. Last year, the number was 8,877.
4. We were the best in the Olympics
BEIJING: Therese Johaug with the medals she won during the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell/NTB
Norway took a new gold record at the Olympics in Beijing in February. There were no less than 16 golds for Norway. We are the first nation to have won 16 gold medals in one and the same Winter Olympics.
5. The UN establishes a climate fund
The UN is to establish a fund for loss and damage. This means that rich countries must pay money into a fund that gives poor countries more money to deal with climate change.
CLIMATE DESTRUCTION: Flood victims carry relief supplies in Pakistan on September 9, 2022. Scientists have said that climate change undoubtedly contributed to the increase in water this summer that covered a third of Pakistan with water. Photo: Fareed Khan/AP
– The money must be used for climate damage that cannot be adapted to or avoided. It is therefore about tackling climate change in several ways. The most important thing is to stop global warming, so that the situation does not get worse, says leader of Framtiden i våre hands, Anja Bakken Riise.
An example is extreme weather, whether there is rainfall or drought. Difficult to adapt, and too late to do anything about afterwards.
6. Good job market
Consumer economist ii Storebrand, Cecilie Tvetenstrand, says that although many are struggling financially these days, there are also many who are doing well.
ECONOMIC: Cecilie Tvetenstrand is a consumer economist at Storebrand Photo: Magnus Nøkland / TV 2
– The vast majority have a job, and that is the most important thing in a private economy, she points out and adds that there are also many companies that still need labour.
7. Easier to buy a home for someone
Earlier in December, it became clear that the government will continue the lending regulations. There are a number of requirements for those applying for a loan. But they are making some changes to how much interest rate increases people have to endure in order to get a loan.
Oslo 20210713. Illustration of display. Property sales, display signs, housing market, viewing, real estate agent, real estate brokerage. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Photo: Beate Oma Dahle
– It will make it easier for more people to get a loan to buy the home they dream of, says Tvetenstrand.
She also says that lower house prices make it easier for first-time buyers to get into the housing market.
