This weekend, at a venue in Forestfields people from accross the country came together to discuss the issues and ways of oposing the expansion of heavy industry in Iceland.
The expansion of the aluminium industry in Iceland and the proposed flooding of thousands of square miles of natural wilderness, which is to provide resevoirs for the Dams that are being built, affects us all.
The building of the dams is destroying the largest unspoilt natural wilderness area in Western Europe, Polution from the Alcoa and Alcan aluminium smelters will ruin marine and land habitats and they will polute the atmosphere. Silt from the resevoir will dry and blow accross the surrounding rural areas devestating the remaining vegetation. Thus destabilsing further, an already fragile environmental eco system. These are just a few of the many detremental facts which the Icelandic goverment along with its partners in heavy industry are supporting.
The gathering in Nottingham was well attended by people from around country. It discussed ways in which this environmental destruction can be opposed; looked at this years protest camp, and actions an protests thus far. The gathering will convene again in January, details of which will be announced nearer the time.
An information tour is taking to the road and will visit Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, London and Cardiff showing films and highlighting the issues and how they fit into the bigger environmental picture.
A sucessful protest camp at the site of the Karanuhjka Dam this year has attracted much support from the icelandic community and made people realise that they can protest against goverment policies. The camp is hoped to be repeated next year in Iceland with thousands of people attending throughout the summer.
For more information regarding the campaign and to make a donation to the campaign, visit the website.
www.savingiceland.org