Though this may seem trite, I believe that this 'looking, planning ahead' and respect for nature are essential ingredients in the Nordic psyche leading to the attributes described in this diary.

Interesting point.  I keep going back and forth on the relative importance of climate and geography on the formation of culture, and in turn the relative importance of culture on economic performance.  But what you write certainly jiibes with what many Japanese seem to claim about how the lack of natural resources and habitable terrain in their own country "selected for" a cultural ethic that put a premium on making the most of scarce resources, extremely low tolerance for error, and "looking, planning ahead", as you put it.

Point n'est besoin d'espérer pour entreprendre, ni de réussir pour persévérer. - Charles le Téméraire