Tyler Mashike, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy, is deeply passionate about climate sustainability and activism. He spent this past summer in Denmark exploring and studying these interests firsthand. After seeking out a program that he felt would be best suited for him, he applied through the high school summer abroad program of a company called CIEE: “Taking climate action in Copenhagen, Denmark” Mashike was able to get a niche experience and learn things that one cannot learn in just a classroom. Mashike attended school, spoke to experts, engaged with the community, and much more.
Through this program, Mashike gained exponential knowledge on Denmark's climate actions, which he shared with us.
As Denmark focuses on transitioning to clean energy, they have been making substantial investments in wind and biomass energy. Many power plants are currently switching to biomass (like straw, wood chips, ect.) which produce more clean energy.
“It’s not about magical perfect solutions, it's about minimizing damage.” Mashike said.
In Denmark, district heating is common, while in the U.S. centralized heating is more typical. The benefit of district heating is that excess heat can be repurposed as a useful byproduct rather than wasted. Nearly two-thirds of Danish households receive heat through networks that circulate hot water, warming the air as it passes through homes. The cooled water is then returned, reheated, and recirculated, creating a continuous cycle that also helps minimize water waste.
“It’s also not about using more green energy, it's about using less energy overall. We’ve all heard reduce, reuse, recycle but many people underestimate the importance of the very first step, reduce.” Mashike said.
Economically, Denmark is thriving in green energy. While the country once relied heavily on coal and oil, it has spent the past several decades investing in a transition toward sustainable alternatives. Following the 1973 Oil crisis, public confidence in an oil-dependent economy collapsed. This shift in perspective spurred the construction of the Tvind wind turbine, which became the world's first megawatt-scale wind turbine.
Over time, with growing public backing and changes in government policy, Denmark transitioned from depending on imported oil to producing its own oil and gas. While this was a step forward, it ultimately did not achieve the significant transformation needed. Recognizing this, the country turned its focus toward renewable energy sources, particularly wind power. As a result, coal and oil use declined, and in 2020 the Danish government committed to ending all oil and gas extraction by 2050 to align with its climate objectives.
“Danish people also have a stronger sense of community which allows for more programs that require community investment. A good example of this Danish cooperative model is the Middelgrunden wind farm. It was established in 2001, and since then this project has been half owned by 10,000 members that live in Denmark, and half by the municipality’s utility section.” Mashike said.
Tyler's time in Denmark offered more than just lessons on clean energy, it provided a glimpse into how collective action and cultural values can reshape a nation's future.
“I was able to dive beyond headlines to understand how real communities implement solutions, but it also was an immersion in a different culture. I saw how different governments could be structured, and a new way of shaping an education system. It opened my eyes to how far America has come and how far we still have to go. It also showed me what happens when a government invests in its people. It’s not a perfect country but it consistently improves, which is an ideal many Americans share and wish to see furthered here. Ultimately, it just gave me something to compare and contrast with America too, which will always be helpful.” Mashike Said.
