Bo Normander
Experienced Environmental Researcher and Communicator
Freelance Writer and Nature Photographer
Tel.: +45 2087 1933 E-mail: bo(@)normander.dk
Follow my work at:
– Research on nature in Denmark, Greenland and globally
– A world of hiking
– Books and publications about Greenland
Connect with me on social media:
About me
I have lifelong experience with environmental research, writing and nature photography.
I’m the founder and owner of the research company, NaturTanken (the Nature Tank) that conducts research and communication about nature and the environment. I’m also a freelance nature photographer, writer, and author of several books and reports, including the books, Greenlandic Seasons and Nature Guide Greenland.
Since April 2023, I’m a part-time Scientific Advisor for the Danish Biodiversity Council.
From 2016 to 2018, I was the Programme Manager for Forest and Biodiversity at WWF Denmark, coordinating the organisation’s research and communication efforts on biodiversity, forest management, and endangered species.
Before joining WWF Denmark, I was the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Worldwatch Institute’s European office in Copenhagen. My main tasks were to manage the organisation and coordinate projects and activities around issues of circular economy, urban sustainability and biodiversity.
Before joining Worldwatch in 2010, I was a Senior Advisor and Researcher for seven years at the National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) at Aarhus University, Denmark. I’m also the former chairman of the Danish Ecological Council and a former elected member of the Copenhagen City Council.
I hold an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Denmark’s Technical University and a PhD in Microbial Ecology from NERI. Over the years, I have led and participated in a number of national and European research projects on environment, biodiversity and sustainability issues.
Employment:
2023 – present: Scientific Advisor, part-time, Danish Biodiversity Council (Biodiversitetsrådet)
2018 – present: Consultant, author, and nature photographer, NaturTanken
> Founder and owner of NaturTanken (the Nature Tank), specialised in nature and environmental research and communication
> Author of Greenlandic Seasons (2016), Guide to the Arctic Circle Trail (2018), and Nature Guide Greenland (2022)
> Founder of Nature and Environment Publishers (“Forlaget Natur & Miljø”)
2016 – 2018: Programme Manager, World Wide Fund for Nature / WWF Denmark
> Coordinating work on forest, biodiversity and endangered species
2010 – 2015: Executive Director, Worldwatch Institute Europe
> Co-founder of Worldwatch Institute Europe in November 2010
> Manager/co-manager of projects on circular economy, biodiversity and urban sustainability
> Member of the Board of Directors at Worldwatch Institute (U.S.)
2010 – 2014: Chairman of the Board, The Danish Ecological Council
> Chairman of the Board and spokesperson for the Council
> Manager of the Future Farming project
> Special interest in agriculture, biodiversity, nature, and environmental policy
2006 – 2013: Member of the City Council of Copenhagen
> Member of the Copenhagen City Council for the Danish Social-Liberal Party (“Radikale Venstre”) 2011-2013 and substitute member 2006-2010
> Member of and spokesperson for the Technical and Environmental Committee of the City Council (2011-2013)
2004 – 2010: Senior Advisor/Researcher at Aarhus University, Denmark
> Senior Advisor, PhD at Dep. of Policy Analysis, National Environmental Research Institute (now: Dep. of Environmental Science), Aarhus University
> Manager and Editor of Denmark’s State of the Environment Reporting
> Manager of and participant in European and Nordic research projects on biodiversity, sustainable development and indicator frameworks
> Consultant to the European Environment Agency (EEA) on European State of the Environment reporting and on air pollution
> Advisor to the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Danish Environment Ministry on biodiversity, indicator frameworks and climate change
2001 – 2005: Editor in Chief of Global Ecology
> Editor and producer of five yearly issues of the leading Danish environmental magazine, Global Ecology (“Global Økologi”)
1999 – 2003: Campaigner at NOAH – Friends of the Earth Denmark
> National coordinator and researcher for Friends of the Earth’s European campaigns on genetic engineering and sustainable agriculture
Education:
1997 – 2000: PhD in Microbial Ecology
> PhD in Microbial Ecology from the National Environmental Research Institute at Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen (formerly “Kongelige Veterinær- og Landbohøjskole”)
> Guest scientist at Aberdeen University, Scotland (1999)
1990 – 1996: MSc in Chemical Engineering, The Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
> Biotechnology courses at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich (1995)
1990 – 1991: Undergraduate Student, LaGrange College, Georgia, U.S.A.
> Awarded a one-year Georgia Rotary Student Program scholarship
1988 – 1990: High School Graduate, Vordingborg High School, Denmark
Photography
I have more than 10 years of experience in landscape and nature photography as an integrated part of my work as researcher and writer. I have provided photos to among others Aarhus University, the Nordic Council of Ministers, WWF, Realdania, and a range of nature magazines and journals. Most recently, I released the widely acknowledged photo book Greenlandic Seasons, which, with more than 140 original photos, illustrates Greenland’s unique Arctic nature.
Selected Publications
Normander, B. (2022): Nature Guide Greenland. Gyldendal, 384 pp. [in Danish]
Normander, B., Woollhead, J., Petersen, A., Feyeh, F. & Garn, A-K. (2022): Vurdering af fem naturnationalparker efter IUCNs standard for beskyttet natur. NaturTanken, Parks’nTrails, GEON, SustainParks, Zoologisk Have København & IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group Europe.
Normander, B., Woollhead, J., Petersen, A. & Garn, A-K. (2022): Vurdering af otte områder under Den Danske Naturfond efter IUCNs standard for beskyttet natur. NaturTanken, Parks’nTrails, GEON, Zoologisk Have København & IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group Europe.
Normander, B., Woollhead, J., Petersen, A., Garn, A-K. (2021): Denmark’s Marine Protected Areas Assessed According to IUCN’s International Definition. PARKS 27(2). The International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation. IUCN/WCPA.
Woollhead, J., Petersen, A. & Normander, B. (2020): Vurdering af danske beskyttede havområder efter international standard. Parks’nTrails, GEON & NaturTanken for IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group Europe.
Normander, B. (2020): Velkommen til den sjette masseuddøen. Nyt Fokus #15, marts 2020.
Normander, B., Woollhead, J., Petersen, A. (2019): Assessment of Nature Protected Areas in Gladsaxe Municipality According to International Standard. NaturTanken, Parks’n Trails, GEON.
Vogdrup-Schmidt, M., Olsen, S.B., Dubgaard, A., Normander, B. et al. (2019): Using spatial multi-criteria decision analysis to develop new and sustainable directions for the future use of agricultural land in Denmark. Ecological Indicators 103:34-42.
Normander, B. (2018): Guide to the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland. Nature and Environment Publishers.
Woollhead, J., Petersen, A., Normander, B. et al. (2018): Assessment of Protected Areas in Denmark According to IUCN Categories. IUCN-Denmark.
Normander, B. (2016): Greenlandic Seasons – Nature and Climate in the Disko Bay Area. Photo book, 192 pp. Nature and Environment Publishers.
Normander, B., Frostholm, A.B., Schjelde, J., Ahrenst, A.F. (2016): Biodiversitetsbarometer – Vurdering af Danmarks indsats for biodiversitet 2016. WWF Verdensnaturfonden og Danmarks Naturfredningsforening.
Bulmer, E. Normander, B. et al. (2015): Urban Biodiversity in Action – The URBIA project and award. Worldwatch Institute Europe, Report 4/2015, 22 pages.
Jørgensen, L.B., Normander, B. et al. (2015): Scenarios for sustainable farming in Denmark. Report, 160 pp. The Ecological Council, University of Copenhagen, and Aarhus University.
Olsen, S.B., Vogdrup-Schmidt, M., Dubgaard, A., Normander, B. et al. (2014): Multicriteria analysis (MCA) in the future farming project. IFRO Report 2014/5. University of Copenhagen. 54 pp.
Normander, B. (ed.) (2013): Business Innovation in a living economy. Worldwatch Institute Europe, Report 3, 122 pages.
Normander, B. (2012): Biodiversity: Combating the sixth mass extinction. In: State of the World 2012: Moving Toward Sustainable Prosperity, pp. 169-176. Worldwatch Institute.
Normander, B., Levin, G., Auvinen, A.-P., Bratli, H., Stabbetorp, O., Hedblom, M., Glimskär, A., Gudmundsson, G.A. (2012): Indicator framework for measuring quantity and quality of biodiversity – Exemplified in the Nordic countries. Ecological Indicators 13:104–116.
Normander, B., Kumar, S. (2012): Op-ed: Biodiversity – Mass extinctions in the cards absent urgent action. Inter Press Service, May 23 2012.
Jensen, T.S., Glyki, E., Hayles, A., Normander, B. (2012): From consumer kids to sustainable childhood. Worldwatch Institute Europe, Report 2, 66 pages.
Normander, B. et al. (2012): Voices from Europe: Build a living economy. Worldwatch Institute Europe, Report 1, 68 pages.
Normander, B. (2011): Biodiversity – World’s forests continue to shrink. Vital Signs Online Research Paper. Worldwatch Institute, Washington, D.C.
Normander, B., Jensen, T.S., Henrichs, T., Sanderson, H., Pedersen, A.B. (2009): State of Nature and the Environment 2009 – Part A: Denmark’s environment under global challenges. National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University.
Normander, B., Henriksen, C.I., Jensen, T.S., Sanderson, H., Henrichs, T., Larsen, L.E., Pedersen, A.B. (2009): State of Nature and the Environment 2009 – Part B: Facts. National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University.
Normander, B., Levin, G., Auvinen, A.-P., Bratli, H., Stabbetorp, O., Hedblom, M., Glimskär, A., Gudmundsson, G.A. (2009): State of biodiversity in the Nordic countries. TemaNord Report 509. Nordic Council of Ministers.
Mikkelsen, M., Jensen, T.S., Normander, B. et al. (2009): Signs of climate change in Nordic nature. TemaNord Report 551. Nordic Council of Ministers.
Normander, B., Haigh, T., Christiansen, J.S., Jensen, T.S. (2008): Development and implementation of a near-real-time web reporting system on ground-level ozone in Europe. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 4:505-512.
Lyytimäki, J., Petersen, L.K., Normander, B., Bezák, P. (2008): Nature as a nuisance? Ecosystem services and disservices to urban lifestyle. Journal of Integrative Environm Research 5:161-172.
Levin, G., Normander, B. (2008): Land-use in Denmark since the end of the nineteenth century. National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University.
Erhard, M., Haigh, T., Normander, B. (2007): Linking GEOSS and European environmental monitoring. I: The Full Picture, Group on Earth Observations: 131-133.
Normander, B. (Contributor) (2006): Ozone conditions across Europe. Web portal with up-to-date information on ozone. European Environment Agency.
Normander, B., Glimskär, A., Stabbetorp, O., Auvinen, A., Levin, G., Gudmundsson, G.A. (2006): Aggregation of indicators for biological diversity in the Nordic countries. TemaNord Report 554. Nordic Council of Ministers.
Normander, B. (Contributor) (2005): The European Environment – State and outlook 2005. Part C – Country analysis. European Environment Agency. State of Environment 1/2005: 408-523.
Bach, H., Christensen, N., Gudmundsson, H., Jensen, T.S., Normander, B. (2005): State of Nature and the Environment in Denmark 2005. National Environmental Research Institute.
Normander, B., Kristensen, P., Emborg, L. (2005): Denmark and the global environment. In: Bach, H., Christensen, N., Gudmundsson, H., Jensen, T.S., Normander, B. (ed.): State of Nature and the Environment in Denmark 2005: 163-178. National Environmental Research Institute.
Normander, B. (Contributor) (2005): Nature and the environment 2004. Nature of Denmark. Environmental Protection Agency.
Normander, B., Hendriksen, N.B. (2002): Effective dose of a microbial inoculant is one to four cells in the rhizosphere. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 48(10): 940-944.
Normander, B., Prosser, J.I. (2000): Bacterial origin and community composition in the barley phytosphere as a function of habitat and presowing conditions. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 66(10): 4372-4377.
Normander, B. (2000): Fate of bacteria introduced into terrestrial ecosystems. PhD thesis. National Environmental Research Institute.
Normander, B., Hendriksen, N.B., Nybroe, O. (1999): Green fluorescent protein-marked Pseuodomonas fluorescens: Localization, viability and activity in the natural barley rhizosphere. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 65: 4646-4651.
Normander, B. et al. (1998): Effect of bacterial distribution and activity on conjugal gene transfer on the phylloplane of bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Applied and Environmental Microbiology 64: 1902-1909.
Popular and News Articles
More than 300 popular science and news articles in Danish and international media.