The Icelandic Highlands are in Danger

[nordnerd]

The Icelandic Highlands are in Danger (http://this.is/nature/page.html)

In east Iceland, one of the last remaining wildernesses of Europe is now being destroyed for an Alcoa aluminum smelter. The Icelandic government is turning Iceland into a heavy industry zone, and seems willing to destroy a vast amount of Icelandic wilderness for that purpose. In September 2006, a series of huge dams will flood an area of highland vegetation, birdlife and reindeer, also causing hazard to seal breeding grounds on the coast. A series of 20 waterfalls will be dammed in a glacial river that falls from one cliff after another, a total of 600 kilometers running from Vatnajokull, the greatest glacier in Europe.

In south Iceland, Thjorsarver, an area that is fit for the Unesco World Heritage list and is the most valuable nesting grounds for pink-footed geese, is in danger. Langisjor, a favorite lake with nature photographers, said to be the bluest lake on earth, is on the National Power Company's hit list.

In north and northwest Iceland, the river Skjalfandafljot and the Great Rivers of Skagafjordur, the most exciting rivers for rafting in Europe, are endangered.

Glacial water's silt feeds the ocean but once it is dammed it will only cause land erosion, mud-filled reservoirs and valleys, diverted rivers and air pollution, all for the sake of smelting a few thousand tonnes of aluminum.

Large sums of money are at stake, not money for the future but for a government seeking a financial boost, a high for the economy. We have seen manipulation, corruption, violation of democratic procedures, and even threats to those that dare oppose. We have seen propaganda, boycotts of scientific research and violations of labour laws by a contractor known for corruption. Aluminum companies line up for the cheap energy the government has put on sale.

Nature is under massive attack here in Iceland. However it is not too late to stop this. Please look for more information in the following links.

www.inca.is/show/
www.inca.is
www.natturuverndarsamtok.is/
www.savingiceland.org/
www.natturuvaktin.com/english.htm
www.landvernd.is/
this.is/augnablik/pix/undraverold_joklu/index.html
Susan De Muth: Power Driven - article from The Guardian 29/11/03

[Xanthochroid]

Nature is under attack everywhere, Reinforcements will be sent soon.

[Lundi]

It is generally only socialists and other lefties that have been against the Kárahnúkar project, but I as an Icelandic nationalist (and lover of the environment, for after all it is this county that has made me and my folk) am heart broken that one of Iceland’s most colourful areas (although vastly barren, but that just adds to it’s appeal) is about to be destroyed for what they call an “extreme financial gain” (this claim has been far from proven).

As a right minded man (politically) I see this as one of the greatest harms that will ever be done to Icelandic nature, the area has always been labelled as Hjarta Íslands or “The Heart of Iceland”, and in no way can I consent a project which will drown our countries heart, no matter the financial gains.

Say goodbye to:

http://www.inca.is/show/photos/ji_myrarlaekur0003.jpg

http://www.inca.is/show/photos/ji_kringilsa7395.jpg

http://www.inca.is/show/photos/ji_saudardalur7533.jpg

http://www.inca.is/show/photos/ji_omar2721.jpg

http://www.inca.is/show/photos/ji_jokla0348.jpg


And also say goodbye to this foolish troll that got caught in the sun :frown: :

http://www.inca.is/show/photos/ji_bergrisi9687.jpg

[Lundi]

And not to mention about 90% of the workers working on the damn dam are Polish, brought here by the American company Alcoa as cheap labour. Alcoa’s former chairman and CEO is now Secretary of the Treasury in the Bush administration, which just adds to my abhorrence of the project.

[Sigurd]

Manski Polski buildski damski... :speechles

In any case, I find it a disgrace that people care so little for nature, but are only out for their economic gain. :frown:

Society is rotten. I thought of moving to Iceland some time, to escape the multicultural and industrialised society, but it seems like their moving their pawns as well to leave their king checkmate. :coffee:

[Náttfari]

Like Lundi said, generally socialists, greens and lefties are agaist the dam. That is I do not voice my opposition in public, ég get ekki verið bendlaður við vinstripakk.

[nordnerd]

Like Lundi said, generally socialists, greens and lefties are agaist the dam. That is I do not voice my opposition in public, ég get ekki verið bendlaður við vinstripakk.

Yes it is unfortunate that this is how the argument broke down into a left-right bullshit. It's about what defines the nation, about the source of something pure and good, and when we look into the people who are behind the project, well...

Anyway the argument the "conservatives" put forward was that it would give jobs to the people on the east coast, which is a legitimate problem. But when the nightly news is filled with pictures of ruddy, dark-skinned Southern Europeans working at the project, one has to wonder how many Icelanders are at work there.

Itz quite obvious where the problem is stemming from. And itz not a left-right thing.

[NordicPower]

Couldn't you be willing to work together with the greens or lefties for now if that means saving an irreplacable part of your country's nature? Icelanders should get together and sign a petition against this outrage!