Civil disobedience training in Lofoten waters

Photo: www.nu.no

From Aug. 8 -10, 260 young environmentalists from all over Norway gathered in Lofoten. During the event they trained on how to fight the oil industry in the region, reports Barents Observer.

The environmentalist youth organization Nature and Youth (Natur og Ungdom) organized a training camp for people aged 13 to 24. During the event environmentalists put on survival suits and threw themselves into the water. This is something they plan do to in order to stagger approaching drilling rigs and oil and gas vessels in the future.

“This is no game,” said Bente Lorentzen from Henningsvær to newspaper Aftenposten. She said to stop the drilling for oil in Lofoten is the most important thing in her life.

Oil exploration Lofoten and Vesterålen has become a hot issue in the ongoing parliament election campaign. Environmentalists say the area, which is believed to hide major oil resources, should remain untouched by the industry. The oil industry is increasing pressure on the authorities to get access to the resources, reports Barents Observer. The Lofoten waters are important fishery areas and the picturesque landscape of the archipelago is a beloved tourist destination.

During the event Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, as well as local business leaders took part in a seminar, that was held at the square in Kabelvåg.

Source: BarentsObserver.com / Aftenposten