More than 800 activists gathered outside the Norwegian parliament this Tuesday to tell the Norwegian parliament – ‘there is no shame in turning back, do not dump Norway’s environmental credibility in the Førde fjord.’ Tina Andersen from Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway) gives us an update on the demonstration.
On Tuesday, over 800 people gathered outside the Norwegian parliament sending a clear message to the government: the Førde fjord is not a place for Nordic Mining to dump mining waste. The activists spoke to Prime Minister Erna Solberg: ‘there is no shame in turning back, do not dump Norway’s environmental credibility in the Førde fjord.’
On the 17th of April, Norwegian climate and environmental minister Tine Sundtoft approved the plans to dump 250 million tons of mining waste in the Førde fjord. This decision has sparked reactions both amongst Norwegians and internationally. On Tuesday night, more than 800 anti-mining activists held a large demonstration outside the parliament.
Speaking about this decision Arnstein Vestre, president of Nature and Youth, Young Friends of the Earth Norway said: ’’This is environmental politics from a different era and it is not sustainable in anyway. Now, it is up to the parliament and Prime Minister Erna Solberg. We will never give up the Førde fjord.’’
The mining company Nordic Mining got approval for a rutile ore mine from the Engebø Mountain, where the tailings will be deposited in the Førde fjord. The decision has met massive protests, with over 1500 people agreeing to break the law if necessary to protect the Førde fjord. Several environmental organisations have sent a complaint to the EFTA court.
Arnstein Vestre continued:“To blow the top of a mountain off, crush it and deposit it in a fjord is completely barbaric. Now is the time for Prime Minister Solberg to turn around and stop this project. People do not want toxic waste in the fjords, and the government should listen to that.’’
For more information, please contact campaigner Tina Andersen in Young Friends of the Earth Norway at tinav@nu.no or +4798423609.