The goal of energy independence was realized 10 years ago when the Danish government was considering building a nuclear power plant there. That worried many Samso residents, so many of them invested in small wind turbines. Then they built a network of collectively controlled land and offshore turbines. Rather than simply placing the turbines in the best spot to catch the wind, they also considered where the turbines would be least jarring aesthetically. JorgenTranberg was one of the first investors in the island’s green revolution, put up 870,000 USD for an early windmill. Since then he’s gone on to invest more than 4 million USD in wind turbines throughout Europe.

Samso government encouraged the islanders to get rid of their old oil heaters and replace them with clean fuel. Although the heating plants still emit carbon pollutants, they burn wood chips and straw grown by farmers as opposed to imported oil. In many ways, Samso’s strategy of energy independence reflects the Danish national identity.  In 2005, Samso became the first carbon-free island in Denmark.

In pursuit of the goal of becoming free of fossil fuels within 13 years, half of the vehicles in Samso are now electric. The island currently has the most electric cars per capita in Denmark.

Across Denmark improving the environment tends to be talked about as a quality of life issue.  In Copenhagen, more than 40 percent of electricity comes from wind, and by 2022 Denmark plans to recycle 50 percent of all household waste.

Denmark has become one of the world’s most effective wind energy exploiting countries. A quarter of its electricity is generated by wind and that will increase to 50% by 2020. According to the Danish Energy Agency, renewable energy provides 60% of Denmark’s energy needs.