A demonstration attended by climate activist Greta Thunberg calls for the demolition of turbines built on indigenous land.
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg and dozens of other activists are protesting the blocking of entrances to the Norwegian Ministry of Energy to build wind turbines on traditionally used land. indigenous people Sami reindeer herders.
Thunberg, a vocal advocate for ending the world’s dependence on carbon-based electricity, said the transition to green energy cannot come at the expense of the rights of indigenous peoples.
“Indigenous rights, human rights, must go hand in hand with climate protection and climate action. It cannot happen at the expense of some people. Berri told Reuters.
Norway’s Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that two wind farms built in central Norway violated Sami rights under international treaties, but the turbines were more than 16 months old. It’s still working after that.
Reindeer herders in Nordic countries say the sights and sounds of giant wind turbines frighten and confuse their animals old tradition.
Sami singer-songwriter, actress and activist Ella Marie Haetta Isaksen said, “I am here to demand that the turbines be demolished and their legal rights respected.”
“The Burden of a Reindeer Breeder”
The ministry said despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the ultimate fate of the wind farm is a complex legal issue.
The court’s ruling is about what should happen next after 151 turbines that could power nearly 100,000 homes in Norway, or what should happen to dozens of kilometers of roads built to facilitate construction. I didn’t mention about
“We understand that this incident is a heavy burden for reindeer herders,” Energy and Oil Minister Terje Aesland said in a statement to Reuters.
“The ministry will do everything it can to contribute to the resolution of this case and will not take longer than necessary,” he added.
Owners of the Roan Vind and Fosen Vind farms include German Stadtwerke Muenchen, Norwegian utilities Statkraft and TroenderEnergi, and Swiss companies Energy Infrastructure Partners and BKW.
“We believe the ministry will find a suitable solution so that renewable energy production can continue while preserving the rights of reindeer owners,” Roan Vind said in a statement.
Utilities BKW said it hopes the wind turbines will remain intact while taking compensatory measures to ensure the rights of the Sami reindeer herders are guaranteed.
Stadtwerke Muenchen declined to comment. Statkraft and Energy Infrastructure Partners could not be reached for comment.