Bjork will play a concert in protest at the Icelandic government’s proposed changes to conservation laws.

The Icelandic singer tops the bill at the event, which will take place on March 18 at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland. Artists appearing include Lykke Li, Patti Smith, Mammút (pictured below), Highlands, Of Monsters And Men, Samaris and Retro Stefson.

The concert is organised in conjunction with the Iceland Nature Conservation Association (INCA), Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment Association and director Darren Aronofsky, whose film Noah was shot on location in Iceland in 2012 and will premiere at Sambíóin Egilshöll Cinema on the same afternoon.

Collectively operating under the name Stopp!, the group aims to encourage the Icelandic authorities to protect Iceland’s natural environment and impose controls on the damming of glacial rivers and harnessing of geothermal energy, in light of new legislation, reports RUV.

This project was introduced at a press conference at Harpa on the 3^rd of March 2014. Björk and Darren Aronofsky participated in the press conference.

The artists will donate their time and the net income will go to INCA and Landvernd.

The following statement lists the group’s demands:

Stop – Guard the Garden!

All over the world too much of priceless nature has been sacrificed for development, often falsely labeled as sustainable. Rain forests have been cut, waterfalls dammed, land eroded, lakes and oceans polluted, earth’s climate altered and the oceans are now rapidly getting more and more acidic.

In Iceland, the Karahnjukar Power Plant has become the symbol for the destruction which threatens human existence on this earth.

It is our duty to protect Icelandic nature and leave it to future generations, undamaged. The Icelandic highlands, Europe’s largest remaining wilderness – where nature is still largely untouched by man, is not just a refuge and treasure which we inherited and will inherit. The highlands belong to the world as a whole. Nowhere else can we find another Lake Myvatn, Thjorsarver Wetlands, Sprengisandur, Skaftafell or Lake Langisjor.

We demand that Thjorsarver Wetlands, the wilderness west of Thjorsa River and the waterfalls downstream will be protected for all future to come. We strongly protest plans by the Minister for the Environment and Resources to change the demarcation line for the extended nature reserve in the Thjorsarver Wetlands. By doing so, the minister creates a space for a new dam at the outskirts of the area. The way in which the minister interprets the law in order to justify that all nature and/or potential power plants are at stake in each and every new phase of the Master Plan for Conservation and Utilization of Nature Areas is an attack on Icelandic nature and not likely to stand in a court of law. [We have engaged a law firm and we are threatening lawsuit if the Minister goes ahead with his plan]

We now have a unique opportunity to turn the highlands into a national park by bill of law to be adopted by the parliament. Thereby the highlands as a whole will be subject to one administrative unit and clearly defined geographically. Thus all plans for power lines, road construction and/or other man made structures which will fragment valuable landscapes of the highlands will belong to history.

We strongly caution against any plans to construct a geothermal power plant at or near Lake Myvatn. The Bjarnarflag Power Plant is not worth the risk. Lake Myvatn is absolutely unique in this world. Hence, we have a great responsibility for its protection.

We demand that the nature of Reykjanes Peninsula will be protected by establishing a volcanic national park and that all power lines will be put underground.

We find it urgent that the government will secure funds for conservation by hiring land wardens and will protect valuable nature areas against the ever growing pressure of mass tourism.

In particular we protest against the attack on nature conservationists, where unprecedented (sic. S.I. editor) and brutal conduct by the police as well as charges pressed against those who want to protect the Galgahraun Lava, was cruel and unnecessary. We remind that the right of the public to protest nature damage everywhere, worldwide, is a basic premise for the success of securing future human existence on this earth.

We demand that the proposed bill of law repealing the new nature protection laws be withdrawn and that the new laws should take effect, as stipulated, on April 1.

Saving Iceland would like to recommend this recent and informative film by Bert Ehgartner. Below is a short trailer for the film. You can stream or download the whole film, in either English or German here.

See also: Is Aluminium Really a Silent Killer?

Jamaica Bauxite Mining Videos

Join us at the eighth annual AGM protest: 28 August 2012 2.00 pm, Lincoln Centre, 18 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3ED. Nearest tube Holborn (Piccadilly & Central lines) or Chancery Lane (Central).

We are also calling out for a global day of action. Please show your solidarity with movements across India and Africa fighting this devastating company. Email your pictures or statements to savingiceland (at) riseup.net.

Why Peoples’ Movements are Fighting Vedanta:

Schedule: 11am Breakfast – St Pauls

A ceremony to celebrate those who stand up against the mining and extraction corporations and to remember those who have died for doing so. The full funeral cortege – with Congolese choir and New Orleans funeral jazz band – will bring their message to one of the institutions most responsible for these practices, the London Stock Exchange.

3pm Lunch: (venue to be announced)

A picnic held where participants can eat food from the countries most affected while listening to speeches given by people from the various movements involved.

6pm Dinner: Assemble at The Embankment

A party in the legendary style of Reclaim the Streets, to celebrate the global movement that is moving to end corporatocracy, end a global economic system that is unjust, unsustainable and undemocratic, end the unnecessary and failing austerity measures and bring about a fairer, more equal and sustainable world for all. Three sound systems and a global mix of genres.

The Carnival Family

This unique day of remembrance, actions and celebrations is bringing together people across generations and causes, political ideals and continents, with a coalition of activists contributing to the day including members of Frack Off, Congo United for Freedom, Free West Papua Campaign, Congolese Youth Action Platform, Earth Faeries, Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links, No Tar Sands, Foil Vedanta, Colombian Solidarity Campaign, Tatiana Giraud Foundation, Gaia Foundation, Lumumba Coalition, Latin American Mining Monitoring Programme, Government of the Dead, London Mining Network, UK Uncut, Occupy London, Reclaim the Streets and more.

Links:
Carnival of Dirt homepage
Carnival of Dirt twitter
Carnival of Dirt facebook

Together with speakers from Sól á Suðurlandi commedians Saga Garðarsdóttir and Ugla Egilsdotttir will perform and finally there will be live music from Mukkalo.

The event will take place on the upper floor of café Glætan,  19 Laugavegi, 17.00 hrs., Wednesday March 2.

Mr. Samarendra Das is an Indian national, global activist and research scholar based in London and Orissa. He has been involved for the last sixteen years in grassroots activism with the ‘Dongria Kondh’ and ‘Mahji Kondh’, tribal communities who have lived sustainable and self-sufficient lives for centuries in the mountains of Orissa. Kondh values and their mountains are in risk from multinational companies seeking to capture iron ore and bauxite  for the metal industries. Mr. Das has developed extensive knowledge of transnational corporations, NGO’s and the institutional architecture of the global elite who wield power over the earth’s resources. His academic backgrounds include a ‘first’ first class honors in  mathematics and a master of computer science with distinction. Mr. Das has co-produced films with his brother Amarendra, published books and written over 200 papers in his  mother tongue, Oriya. His work is both technical and artistic, covering culture, identity, conflict and political economy. His recent film with Amarendra, Sept. 2005, Wira Pdika (Earth Worm: Company Man) is feature-length campaign documentary on the resistance of the Orissa Kondhs.

His most recent book, co-authored with Dr. Felix Padel, titled Out of This Earth: East India, Adivasis and The Aluminium Cartel, is to be published later this year by Orient Blackswan.

The presentation takes place in the Centenary Hall, St. Mary’s College, Pembroke Street, Port of Spain, Thursday Oct. 1st, from 18:30 to 21:00.

For further details please contact: Mr. Cathal Healy-Singh, Tel. 868-366-0751.

Courtesy the following organizations:

La Brea Concerned Citizens Untied –  labreacitizensuntied at gmail.com; Fishermen and Friends of The Sea –  ffosgary at opuso.co.tt; The Right Action Group –  http://www.savingiceland.org/?p=3909 Join us from 18th July to resist the industrialisation of Europe’s last remaining great wilderness and take direct action against heavy industry!

The Struggle So Far

The campaign to defend Europe’s greatest remaining wilderness continues. For the past four years direct action camps in Iceland during the summer have targeted aluminium smelters, mega-dams and geothermal power plants.

After the terrible destruction caused at Kárahnjúkar and Hengill, it is time to crush the ‘master plan’ that would have seen every single major glacial river dammed, every substantial geothermal field exploited and the construction of aluminium smelters, oil refineries and silicon factories, as well as a significant increase in Iceland’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The Situation Now

Despite optimism following the ‘cutlery revolution’ where mass street protests and direct action brought down the Icelandic government and forced the issue of heavy industry back onto the political agenda, the battle is far from over.

The fall of aluminium prices on the world market and the global economic crisis has taken its toll on heavy industry projects and aluminium companies in Iceland, putting many of the plans for aluminium smelters, mega-dams and geothermal power plants on hold, or ruled out completely. The heavy industry machine is far from having been defeated but recent uprisings show the deep impact Saving Iceland has had on the grassroots and the political landscape.

Political Changes

The recent elections are a major blow for the environmental movement in Iceland, with the ‘Left Greens’ booting the minister of the environment out for being too much of a genuine environmentalist. We are looking at a heavily fortified pro-heavy industry government, doing away with any pretence of the government being ‘Green’ or even remotely Left wing. On top of this, national energy companies have already started negotiations with other types of industry in the North, where some politicians ruled out a new smelter.

Anarchy in Iceland

Years of work by Saving Iceland to introduce the ideas of direct action and anarchy into mainstream society, coupled with a radicalised population following the downfall of the government, has resulted in a constantly growing movement of radical activists and anarchists in Iceland.

Over the past few months squatters have twice taken a social centre and defended it from eviction, refugee and no borders activism is going strong, Food Not Bombs hit the streets every week and actions such as the four “skyr attacks” (where green yoghurt is thrown all over displays, computers and suits) in two months have targeted politicians and nature killers.

The mutual support between the Icelandic radical community and Saving Iceland this summer will make for a very exciting and action-filled mobilisation!

Targets this Summer

The Helguvík aluminium smelter, targeted by Saving Iceland last summer with an action that stopped construction for a whole day after 40 activists invaded the site, is still being built. Powering the smelter will mean eight new power plants, at least seven of which will be geothermal from the Reykjanes Peninsula, drying it up, and Hellisheiði – also targeted by Saving Iceland last summer that saw a drill rig shut down costing thousands of pounds. One of the geothermal plants powering Century’s smelter could be in Bitra, close to Hengill, where a local campaign last winter stopped construction from taking place. The eighth power plant will probably be a mega-dam on the beautiful Þjórsá River.

If ever there was a building site and “test drilling sites” destroying unique and fragile ecosystems and  vulnerable to direct action this summer they are on the Reykjanes peninsula, South West Iceland!

Get involved!

Come to Iceland from the 18th July and join us for a summer of resistance and direct action. Check this page for regular updates and information for people joining us, or email us on  savingiceland at riseup.net to let us know when you’re arriving.

Help support our struggle with donations, translations, solidarity actions and by spreading the word.

Last year, Das unfortunately had to cancel for the Saving Iceland conference ‘Consequences of heavy industry’ in Olfus, where Magnusson spoke as well as guests from Trinidad, South Africa, Brazil and various other countries. Saving Iceland is happy to finally have the opportunity to welcome Samarendra to Iceland.

On the 21st, there will also be a talk by Das in the Peace House, Njalsgata 87 (corner with Snorrabraut) at 20.00h.

As an investigative journalist and National Executive member of Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Samarendra has been involved in campaigning against bauxite mining for the last seven years. During this period he has been documenting the events and writing about it in various media including Tehelka and Vikalpa Vichar. He has also written three books and edited two, published around 200 articles and reviews on various issues, and is currently finishing a book on the aluminium industry and the local resistance with the anthroplogist Felix Padel.

He has also made a feature length documentary on the campaign called WIRA PDIKA (Earth worm: Company man) 124 mins, mini-dv, 2005 with Amarendra Das, who is an alumni of The Film and Television Institute of India.

Suggested Links:

• Double Death, Aluminium’s Links to Genocide by S. Das and F. Padel, in Economic and Political Weekly
• Agya, What do You Mean by Development? by Das and Padel. An exhaustive account of the aluminium industry in India.
• Saving Iceland Blockades Rio Tinto-Alcan Smelter in Hafnarfjordur (highly documented background to ALCAN and aluminium’s cultural genocide in Asia and Africa)
• And you might be interested in our Struggles in India image gallery.

Just remember to contact us, send text and photos for the actions, so we can publish it.

Previous Solidarity Actions

During last years camps, a lot of international solidarity actions have happened, here are some examples:

ELF Hits Rio Tinto Alcan in Essex in Solidarity with Saving Iceland

Icelandic Consulate in Edinburgh Targeted by Activists

Make over for Mott MacDonald in Cambridge

Week of Iceland Actions in the Low Countries

The walk will tour stunning areas threatened by the upcoming dams, while members of Sól á Suðurlandi will give descriptions of the struggle for their beloved river so far and provide local knowledge on various sites of interest. The Icelandic mountain guides will lead the tour and provide information on plants and the landscape. We welcome anyone interested in enjoying a walk in the Þjórsá valley to meet us at the coach stop at the bottom of Árnaholl (at corner of Hverfisgata and Lækjargata) at 12 noon. It would be great if you could email us beforehand but you will not be turned away if you just turn up.

Time and time again the Icelandic government and the energy companies have carried out terrible environmental destruction for dubious multinational corporations out of the public eye, often due to the remote nature of the wild sites they are developing. We must not allow this behaviour to go on behind closed doors. Please join us and see for yourself the effects of planned projects and the beauty and value of the nature they will destroy.

email  savingiceland at riseup.net for more details or to book a place.

As inflation rates in Iceland soared to 8.7% and the Icelandic krona lost a third of it’s value, US-based Century Aluminum started construction of a much disputed aluminium smelter at Helguvik, southwest of the capital Reykjavik. The Icelandic economy is suffering from overheating as billions are spent on construction of new power plants and heavy industry projects. The central bank raised the overnight interest rate to a whopping 15% to control further price increases as Icelanders see their money’s value disappearing like snow. It would seem that the last thing the tiny Icelandic economy needs is further capital injections.

But Icelandic investors are making record profits from the new projects. The value of shares sold to them by Century less than a year ago to finance the Helguvik smelter has increased by 33%, though the company has not made a profit in years.

Environmentalists contend the legality of the project. No environmental impact assessment has been made for the smelter port, power lines or geothermal drilling that threatens large tracts of wilderness. The company has also not secured greenhouse gas emissions quota.

“In essence, Century is running very tough brinkmanship and may end up dictating Iceland’s climate policy as if Iceland were a banana-democracy,” says Arni Finsson from the Iceland Nature Conservation Association.

The issue has become an embarrassing affair for the Icelandic government. Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir, Minister for the Environment, says she opposes the new Century smelter and other projects. At the same time, Prime Minister Geir Harde is doing his best to negotiate new emission rights for them with the UN. Minister of Industry Ossur Skarphedinsson then commented that the Icelandic government has no control over the development or expansion of aluminum smelters in Iceland anyway.

This is the second time when the government has allowed for a smelter to be built without proper permits. The previous case, ALCOA Fjardaal, has raised Iceland’s per capita emissions from 12 to 18 tons. The European average is 11.

The government still says it aims for a reduction by 50-75 percent from those of 1990, by 2050. “No final decisions have been made on how to accomplish this,” says Anna Kristin Olafsdottir, political adviser to the environment minister, “but a scientific committee is working very hard on a plan.”

International activists from Saving Iceland have decided not to wait while the largest wilderness of Europe is being ruined, and have announced a direct action camp starting July 12th.

No doubt every monsoon brings along with it a new lease of life and a green glitter. But, however, it also brings in a threat and a challenge for people in the Narmada valley as in the other river valleys, where the rivers are dammed and damned and the people and the natural environs are doomed and drowned. Even after 24 years of struggle, the adivasis in the Satpudas and Vindhyas and the
farmers, fish workers and others in the Nimad region of Madhya Pradesh have had to continue to struggle for their rights. Their battle is also for the rightful share for dalits adivasis, farmers, fish workers and all those who toil with nature and their own labour, harnessing and developing the natural resources in the human society.

This year too, the first phase of the Satyagraha, on the bank of the Narmada river will commence in Chimakhedi, the third village from the Sardar Sarovar Dam site falling in the Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, with the best of its lands and generations-old habitats already gone under waters since 1994, the young and the old in Chimalkhedi have been in the battle field always, to get the land and abadi (residential sites)) needed even to start a new life. The people in the three states, who have staked their lives and livelihoods, have kept the dam at 122 mts and not allowed the State to bury the communities in a
watery-grave. They would come together in Chimalkhedi, with our supporters from all over, with a pledge for truth and determination to face the challenge of rising waters.

The truth that lies behind the facade of drum-beating related to the giant dam, stands exposed when the NBA has dug out massive corruption in rehabilitation, no compliance on legally mandatory environmental measures, the economic and financial non-viability. It has also brought out the skewed distribution of
benefits, which are not even attained, beyond 10% and are being diverted to the corporates, the urban elites, at the cost of the needy and the planned beneficiaries. The dam is not yet permitted to go beyond 122 mts, to its full height, when the space available for the struggle needs to be fully occupied,
through non-violent yet militant ways to compel the state to look back and look forward with the people and take to the just path. The Satyagrahis, would once again declare that they would not move out, come what may, unless, they get a better life and the promised land to live on and that they would not brook even an inch of construction beyond 122mts. The adivasis of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and the farmers and others from Nimad in the plains would come together, to out forth their views and vision. Supporters from various people’s organizations, especially of the dam-affected and from different states and
cities would be with us on this day of inauguration and thereafter.

You are earnestly invited to express solidarity and join the struggle at this crucial point of time. We would be happy even if you make it for a day and return the same night from Baroda. We would be happier if you stay on the banks of the Narmada for at least two more days to have a glimpse of the various regions and get acquainted with the latest situation and the struggle.

EXPECTING A WORD OF CONFIRMATION,

Yours sincerely

Noorji Vasave, Ashish Mandloi, Kailash Awasya, Raman Bhai Tadvi,
Noorji Padvi, Kamla Yadav, Bawa Mahariya, Kapilaben,
Yogini, Chetan, Mohan Patidar, Gokhru Bhai, Champalal, Siyaram, Amarnath

Medha Patkar, Pervin Jehangir, Shyam Patil, Suniti S.R.

Travel related details

Please reach Badwani on the 10th or Baroda by 11th early morning. You can come
via Dhule, Khandwa, Badwani or Indore. Vehicles will start from Badwani in the
very early hours of 11th morning and Baroda by 7:30 a.m. on the 11th. Depending
on the number of persons coming via Dhule or Indore, vehicles may be arranged
from those two centers as well. Please bring with you, light baggage with rain
coats, torch, light shoes and light bed sheets, with medicines and eatables as
per need. We would, of course, be providing the transport including boat, food
and the minimum possible arrangements, in the difficult circumstances faced by
the people. Please let us know if you would stay back on the 11th night and
till when. While some will be helped to return to Baroda on the same night, the
others can return to Baroda, visiting the resettlement sites of Gujarat on the
12th or to Badwani or beyond (Indore or Dhule) on the 12th or 13th as per your
convenience. There will be no long walks involved, while a mix of private
(maximum) and some public transport in groups will have to be resorted to.

Contact for more details:  nba.badwani at gmail.com

Badwani – Ashish Mandloi 07290-222464, 09424855042,
Umesh Patidar – 09424840771
Indore – Chinmay Mishra 09893278855,

Also see

 http://www.narmada.org

A summer of International dissent and action against Heavy Industry – swarming around Iceland from the 12th of July 2008!

The camp this year will commence in the Hengill geothermal area, about one mile from the Hellisheidi power plant that is currently being expanded to power Rio Tinto – Alcan and Century smelters.

Location:

Hellisheidi, Hengill. Click here for directions.

Date:
The camp program starts July 12th with a program of skill and information sharing workshops, so be there by Friday the 11th, from which date camping and food will be available.
If you are a foreigner and planning to come to Iceland, we suggest you arrive on the Smyril Line ferry on the 3rd or 10th of July. If you need accomation before the 10th, this will be arranged – please get in touch.

Practicalities

Food:

Vegan meals will be provided throughout the camp by the new Icelandic mobile field kitchen that was setup last year. Food will be free/donation for those coming from other countries and served on a donation basis to others.
If you are an Icelander, we very much welcome food donations, preferably rice, pasta, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and bread.
If you are interested in joining the cooking crew and becoming a fully trained to cook for large groups of people, please email us: resources [at] savingiceland.org or knock on the kitchen tent’s door.

Money:

Iceland is a famously expensive place to visit but at the camp you will not need to spend any money. Also, if you hitch-hike, use a tent and shop well at stores like Bónus you can live cheaply. When entering Iceland you legally must be able to prove that you have enough money to fund your stay, otherwise the border cops might not let you enter the country. For this you can either point to some cash on you or just show a credit/debit card. This shouldn’t be a problem, dont worry.

Travelling to Iceland:

Boat:

Smyril Line sails from Denmark (Hanstholm), Norway (Bergen) and Scotland (Scrabster) to Iceland (Seyðisfjörður, in the East of Iceland). Prices tend to be cheapest if you book with their Danish office (they speak English). Paying in Danish Krona is supposedly cheapest.
If you remind Smyril Line that you are a “student” then you will get a good discount. You can usually easily change your ticket without any extra cost.
If you are able to bring a car, this is well worth it and does not usually cost much more then four foot passenger returns).
You are encouraged to arrive the 3rd or the 10th of July.
Whilst sailing look out for whales and dolphins…
Smyril-line – Ferry from Scotland, Denmark and Norway to Seydisfjordur.

Plane:

International flights usually land in Iceland’s main airport, Keflavik. An airport transfer bus service (called the FlyBus) runs between the airport and Reykjavik bus terminal via various hotels (1100 Kr [1200Kr from 01 Jan 07], 45 minutes). A return is 300 Kr cheaper than 2 singles.

Iceland Express – Flights from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany and UK – This is usually the cheapest airline to Iceland.

IcelandAir

British Airways – Flights from the UK – even cheaper than Iceland Express currently

SAS Scandinavian Airlines – Flights from Oslo

Travelling inside Iceland:

We will of course aim to coordinate any necessary camp related transport but there may be times when this is logistically impossible. Also, you may want to travel apart from the camp within Iceland. Like other Nordic countries you can legally pitch your tent on any patch of land that is not fenced off and is not in sight of someones house, for one night, apart from around Myvatn. Many villages have campsites you can pay to pitch at, and you can also stay at mountain huts and emergency shelters which are spread across the country (for info on these check a map). Check the weather report here or in the tourist information centre before you leave on a big journey

Commercial Transport:

Iceland’s long distance bus system is slow and extremely expensive, so you might want to consider other means of travelling.
Bus Seydisfjordur – Egilsstadir: http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/bus_sto…
More busroutes and other practical info:
 [Air Iceland – Internal flights]

Renting a car is also very expensive for extended periods of time.

Hitch-hiking:

It is generally safe to hitch-hike and this kind of travel has lead to lots of exciting road-trips. Iceland has only one highway, Route 1, and it circles the island. Whether you should head along the North or South Route 1 is a matter of raging opinion which will never be settled. Hitching from Egilstadir to Reykjavik will usually take anything between one and four days. Make sure you stock up on supplies before you set off on a long journey, as you will not pass many shops. Try to travel in pairs if possible and be prepared to be unlucky and not get a ride for possibly a day or two. Make sure you have a tent if you hitch-hike.

By Bike:

Many people cycle around Iceland. It is 800km from Seydisfjordur to Reykjavik along the south route of Route 1, and it is mostly flat with a few insane hills. You should judge for yourself how long this will take you but we estimate that it will take you about 10 days to cross the country. The north Route of Route 1 is longer and crosses through the mountaneous interior highlands of Iceland. There are not many opportunities to buy food along the way so make sure you are well stocked and equiped.

Icebike.net – Very Useful general information of cycling in Iceland

By Car:

Cars of all kinds are extreemly useful: 4x4s, mini buses and vans especially, though small cars that don’t use much fuel are too. The cheapest way to travel on the Smyril-Line Norona ship is to fill your car up with people. If you email us in advance, we may be able to organise people to share your seats and cost. 

You can circle the country in the summer in a usual road car without a problem. But, entering the central-highlands in something other than a 4×4 can be highly problematic. Most of the Central-Highlands roads are just mud tracks, meaning that they are extremely potholed and can have rivers running through them. We say this as a caution, but many people do take these sorts of vehicles through 4×4 tracks… The higher your vehicle is off the ground the better. Most mountain roads and roads in the interior of Iceland have a surface of loose gravel. The same applies to large sections of the national highway, but which also has long stretches of asphalt. The surface on the gravel roads is often loose, especially along the sides of the roads, so one should drive carefully and slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car. Always observe speed limits, they are there for very valid reasons. The mountain roads are also often very narrow, and are not made for speeding. The same goes for bridges, most are only wide enough for one car at a time. In addition to not having an asphalt surface, the mountain roads are often very windy. Journeys therefore often take longer than might be expected.
For information on road conditions, Tel.: +354-1777, daily 8:00-16:00. or click here

According to the law everyone must drive with their headlights on, even in daytime. The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads. Always slow greatly down before approaching a bridge. Even relatively smooth roads have nasty potholes on either side of bridges. Asphalt roads tend to change suddenly and even without warning into gravel roads. That can be very dangerous if you are not driving at a sensible speed and has often caused terrible accidents. Traffic sign posting in Iceland is to put it mildly, sloppy. Don’t trust maps just because they show drivable tracks. Mountain tracks can suddenly vanish or become unusable. Be extreemly cautious when crossing rivers. Small streams tend to swell into forcefull rivers in the afternoons, so are best crossed early in the morning. Always make sure another vehicle is present when crossing a river. Expect roaming herds of sheep and cows on roads when driving anywhere in the countryside, and if you knock a sheep over then you legally have to contact the relevant farmer immediately. Petrol stations are few and far between around Iceland and are non-existent in the highlands, so make sure you always fill up when possible,and have spare cans. STICK ONLY TO THE ROADS AS OFF-ROAD DRIVING in the summer IS VERY DESTRUCTIVE TO THE FRAGILE SUB-ARCTIC ICELANDIC VEGETATION, and is also illegal.

What to Bring:

Absolute essentials:

* Waterproof clothing (Coat and trousers), it can rain horrendously.
* Good hiking shoes (trainers can be very dangerous in the highlands.)
* Thermal underwear (it can get very cold!)
* Other warm clothing (eg wool jumpers, gloves, etc.)
* Summertime clothing – it’s not always cold!
* Double skinned tent (or find someone to share with.)
* At least a two season sleeping bag, three season highly recommended but not essential.

Highly recommended:

* Camera / video-camera. Especially digital equipment (these are invaluable at the camp). Lots of DV tapes are also very useful.
* Your own cutlery (knife/fork/spoon),
* Plate or bowl and a cup
* Camping cooking equipment (especially if you go travelling on your own)
* Torch
* Maps
* Compass
* GPS
* Medical equipment
* If you are sensitive to light when trying to sleep then you should bring an eye mask because the sun will be in the sky all night.
* Cars of all kinds, 4x4s, mini buses and vans especially, though small cars that don’t use much fuel are also useful. These are incredibly useful for the camp functioning.
* Mobile phones, especially NMT phones that are more useful the highlands.
* An Icelandic sim card. These are free with Siminn if you buy credit. A good place to get them is the Siminn shop in Egilsstadir near the Bonus or in Keflavik airport. Highly recommended.
* Suncream.

For actions:

(The police might try to confiscate these when you enter, think of a reason why you might need them that’s not connected to the camp)
* Climbing harness
* Climbing clips
* Bicycle locks
* Paints and brushes.
* Banners

For the camp:

* Your driving licence, so you can drive a camp car.
* Food for the camp kitchen. In particular please bring special vegan products. This is a country whose biggest supermarket puts milk into its humus!! You can bring in 3kg of food per person. Half/whole Kilo bags of spices (turmeric, pepper, curry etc) are useful.
* Is there an environmental/social struggle in your area? Why not bring some fliers or a film?
* Do not bring ANY drugs to the camp!

Other

* Iceland’s growing grassroots radical library, Andspyrna, would highly appreciate donations of books, films, posters and information about social/ecological change movements from your local area. If you have anything that might be of interest then bring it along or contact them in advance if you are unsure: punknursester[at gmail.com. The radical library is held at Kaffí Hljómalind, 23 Laugavegur, Reykjavik 101 and shall have a selection of books at this years Saving Iceland camp.

* You can legally bring in 2 liters of alcohol. Alcohol is very expensive in Iceland.

Other links

Icelandic Diplomatic Missions

Icelandic Directorate of Immigration – VISAS etc.

Underestimating Mother Nature May Cost Your Life – Article in Grapevine about the dangers of traveling in the Icelandic highlands without the necessary precautions.

Icetourist

LonelyPlanet

The National Land Survey of Iceland

The Icelandic Meteorological office

Having taken part in direct actions against the multinational aluminium industry invasion, dam and geothermal plant destruction of the wilderness, Miriam has been labeled by the Icelandic Immigration Authority a threat to ‘public order and security’ and Iceland’s ‘fundamental societal values’. Also, she is charged with violating her tourist status in the island by supposedly getting paid by SI for every blockade she has been part of: complete nonsense as SI has never paid anyone at all to be part of the campaign. This accusation is the product of an elite whose fetishism of capital has taken over so totally that the thought of acting out of love, care and fury is incomprehensible.

SI has found out that Iceland has already written the same deportation letters to all other international activists arrested as part of the campaign and summer protest camps, and is waiting to see how Miriam’s case pans out before trying to send them out. That the Icelandic authorities are going to these measures does prove that they fear direct action on behalf of the earth against the heavy industry policy, that they fear Saving Iceland.

These measures are a violation of ‘fundamental societal values’ in a supposedly democratic country where freedom of expression and the right to protest are a fundamental part of its constitution and laws.

This Demonstration is intended to bring international pressure and attention onto Miriam’s case, Iceland’s persecution of environmental activists, and Iceland’s destruction of its nature. We call on you to attend or organise manifestations in your local area.

More information about Miriams case can be found here

Brighton Gathering Poster .PDF – Please print and stick all over the world!

 

The Camp and Conference:

The camp will start 6 July. The conference on the Global Consequences of Heavy Industry takes place at the camp 7-8 July. Academics, activists and other people affected by the aluminium industry, dams and environmental destruction will come together to discuss their experiences and think about how to build up stronger local and global resistance.

Immediately following from this the protest camp will be set up. It will be a space in which creative and direct opposition to heavy industry can be mounted. There will be workshops, discussions and concerts (by emerging Icelandic groups as well as world famous bands) during this period. There will be a strong focus around direct action, as in previous camps. For example, at the past two camps there were a number of actions whereby protestors got into dam and smelter construction sites, sometimes chaining themselves to machinery, sometimes not. People of all experiences of this kind of protest are extreemely welcome.

For more information about the conference, click here

For more information about the camp, click here (link outdated)

Location:

The location of the camp will not be revealed until much closer to the time. There will be a meeting point in both Reykjavík and Egilsstadir from which you will be guided to the camp location. Email us to reserve a lift from these otherwise you will need to make your own way to the camp.

Reykjavík: Kaffi Hljómalind – Laugavegur 21. The workers in Iceland’s only cooperative, organic, fairtrade, vegetarian/vegan, Zapatista bean using coffe house will have information for you about the camp when you arrive. Laugavegur is Reykjaviks main shopping street, so any local will be able to point you in the correct direction.

Egilsstadir, Thursday’s 1pm: outside Egilsstadir’s Tourist Information Centre (next to the Shell garage). Please note, the workers in the tourist information centre won’t have information about the camp, so dont bother asking them. If you are sailing to Seyðisfjörður then you will need to travel west along its only outbound road, which leads to Egilsstadir. It is a 30 Minute drive. If you don’t have a car try to hitchike to Egilsstadir, or if this fails catch the bus there (leaving Seydisfjordur on Thursdays at 8:20am, 12:20pm and 16:20pm)

Food:

Vegan meals will be provided throughout the camp, and will be free to long term campers or anyone who has come from overseas. Otherwise food will be served on a donation basis.

If you are interested in joining the cooking crew, where you will be fully trained to cook for hundreds of people, please email us:  savingiceland at riseup.net

Money:

Iceland is a famously expensive place to visit but at the camp you will not need to spend any money. Also, if you hitch-hike, use a tent and shop well at stores like Bónus you can live cheaply.

Camp Contacts:

savingiceland@riseup.net

Phone: To be announced

Travelling to Iceland:

Boat:

Smyril Line sails from Denmark (Hanstholm), Norway (Bergen) and Scotland (Lerwick/Scrabster) to Iceland (Seyðisfjörður, in the East of Iceland) from about €320 return in July (High Season.) If you stay until mid-August you can get a Mid Season return fare which is cheaper. If you remind Smyril Line that you are a “student” then you will get a good discount. You can usually easily change your ticket without any extra cost. Paying in Euros (€) is usually cheaper than Pounds (£). Smyril Line often quotes different prices in each of their departments so call around. Whilst sailing look out for whales and dolphins…
Smyril-line – Ferry from Scotland, Denmark and Norway to Seydisfjordur.

Plane:

International flights usually land in Iceland’s main airport, Keflavik. An airport transfer bus service (called the FlyBus) runs between the airport and Reykjavik bus terminal via various hotels (1100 Kr [1200Kr from 01 Jan 07], 45 minutes). A return is 300 Kr cheaper than 2 singles.

Iceland Express – Flights from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France, Spain, Germany and UK

IcelandAir

British Airways – Flights from the UK

SAS Scandinavian Airlines – Flights from Oslo

Travelling inside Iceland:

We will of course aim to coordinate any necessary camp related transport but there may be times when this is logistically impossible. Also, you may want to travel apart from the camp within Iceland. Like other Nordic countries you can legally pitch your tent on any patch of land that is not fenced off and is not in sight of someones house, for one night, apart from around Myvatn. Many villages have campsites you can pay to pitch at, and you can also stay at mountain huts and emergency shelters which are spread across the country (for info on these check a map). Check the weather report here or in the tourist information centre before you leave on a big journey

Commercial Transport:

Iceland’s long distance bus system is slow and extremely expensive, so you might want to consider other means of travelling.
Internal flights are cheaper than buses but they obviously produce huge amounts of planet killing fumes [Air Iceland – Internal flights]

Renting a car is also very expensive for extended periods of time.

Hitch-hiking:

It is generally safe to hitch-hike and this kind of travel has lead to lots of exciting road-trips. Iceland has only one highway, Route 1, and it circles the island. Whether you should head along the North or South Route 1 is a matter of raging opinion which will never be settled. Hitching from Egilstadir to Reykjavik will usually take anything between one and four days. Make sure you stock up on supplies before you set off on a long journey, as you will not pass many shops. Try to travel in pairs if possible and be prepared to be unlucky and not get a ride for possibly a day or two. Make sure you have a tent if you hitch-hike.

By Bike:

Many people cycle around Iceland. It is 800km from Seydisfjordur to Reykjavik along the south route of Route 1, and it is mostly flat with a few insane hills. You should judge for yourself how long this will take you but we estimate that it will take you about 10 days to cross the country. The north Route of Route 1 is longer and crosses through the mountaneous interior highlands of Iceland. There are not many opportunities to buy food along the way so make sure you are well stocked and equiped.

Icebike.net – Very Useful general information of cycling in Iceland

By Car:

Cars of all kinds are extreemly useful: 4x4s, mini buses and vans especially, though small cars that don’t use much fuel are too. The cheapest way to travel on the Smyril-Line Norona ship is to fill your car up with people. If you email us in advance, we may be able to subsidise your car fare and organise people to share your seats and cost.

You can circle the country in the summer in a usual road car without a problem. But, entering the central-highlands in something other than a 4×4 can be highly problematic. Most of the Central-Highlands roads are just mud tracks, meaning that they are extremely potholed and can have rivers running through them. We say this as a caution, but many people do take these sorts of vehicles through 4×4 tracks… The higher your vehicle is off the ground the better. Most mountain roads and roads in the interior of Iceland have a surface of loose gravel. The same applies to large sections of the national highway, but which also has long stretches of asphalt. The surface on the gravel roads is often loose, especially along the sides of the roads, so one should drive carefully and slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car. Always observe speed limits, they are there for very valid reasons. The mountain roads are also often very narrow, and are not made for speeding. The same goes for bridges, most are only wide enough for one car at a time. In addition to not having an asphalt surface, the mountain roads are often very windy. Journeys therefore often take longer than might be expected.
For information on road conditions, Tel.: +354-1777, daily 8:00-16:00. or clickhere

According to the law everyone must drive with their headlights on, even in daytime. The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads. Always slow greatly down before approaching a bridge. Even relatively smooth roads have nasty potholes on either side of bridges. Asphalt roads tend to change suddenly and even without warning into gravel roads. That can be very dangerous if you are not driving at a sensible speed and has often caused terrible accidents. Traffic sign posting in Iceland is to put it mildly, sloppy. Don’t trust maps just because they show drivable tracks. Mountain tracks can suddenly vanish or become unusable. Be extreemly cautious when crossing rivers. Small streams tend to swell into forcefull rivers in the afternoons, so are best crossed early in the morning. Always make sure another vehicle is present when crossing a river. Expect roaming herds of sheep and cows on roads when driving anywhere in the countryside, and if you knock a sheep over then you legally have to contact the relevant farmer immediately. Petrol stations are few and far between around Iceland and are non-existent in the highlands, so make sure you always fill up when possible,and have spare cans. STICK ONLY TO THE ROADS AS OFF-ROAD DRIVING in the summer IS VERY DESTRUCTIVE TO THE FRAGILE SUB-ARCTIC ICELANDIC VEGETATION, and is also illegal.

What to Bring:

Essentials:

* Waterproof clothing (Coat and trousers), it can rain horrendously.
* Good hiking shoes (trainers can be very dangerous in the highlands.)
* Thermal underwear (it can get very cold!)
* Other warm clothing (eg wool jumpers, gloves, etc.)
* Some summertime clothing – it’s not always cold!
* Double skinned tent (or find someone to share with.)
* At least a two season sleeping bag, three season highly recommended but not essential.

Useful but not-essential:

* Camera / video-camera. Especially digital equipment (these are invaluable at the camp). Lots of DV tapes are also very useful.
* Your own cutlery (knife/fork/spoon),
* Plate or bowl and a cup
* Camping cooking equipment (especially if you go travelling on your own)
* Torch
* Compass
* GPS
* Medical equipment
* If you are sensitive to light when trying to sleep then you should bring an eye mask because the sun will be in the sky until very late and early
* Cars of all kinds, 4x4s, mini buses and vans especially, though small cars that don’t use much fuel are also useful. These are incredibly useful for the camp functioning. The cheapest way to travel on the Smyril-Line Norona ship is to fill your car up with people. If you email us in advance, we may be able to subsidise your car fare and organise people to share your seats.
* Mobile phones, especially NMT phones that are more useful the highlands.

For actions:

(The police might try to confiscate these when you enter, think of a reason why you might need them that’s not connected to the camp)
* Climbing harness
* Climbing clips
* Bicycle locks
* Paints and brushes.
* Banner material (Bed sheets, etc.)

For the camp:

* Your driving licence, so you can drive a camp car.
* Food for the camp kitchen. In particular please bring special vegan products. This is a country whose biggest supermarket puts milk into its HUMOUS!!
* Is there an environmental/social struggle in your area? Why not bring some fliers?

Other

* You can legally bring in 2 liters of alcohol. Alcohol is famously expensive in Iceland.

Other links

Icelandic Diplomatic Missions

Icelandic Directorate of Immigration – VISAS etc.

Icetourist

LonelyPlanet

The National Land Survey of Iceland

The Icelandic Meteorological office

On New Years Day, campaigners from Saving Iceland climbed St.Pauls Cathedral and the Tate Modern in London as part of our campaign to challenge the destruction of the Icelandic hihghlands, Europe’s last remaining great wildernesses, and the destruction of communities in Trinidad, both at the hands of the aluminium industry and in particular ALCOA, ALCAN and Century Aluminum.

The Icelandic government is sacrificing Iceland’s glacial rivers and geothermal resources in order to power aluminium smelting factories. This will destroy much of Iceland’s greatest natural treasures and pollute its air, waters and land. This will also affect the health of local communities, the country´s tourism and the fishing industries. The Trinidadian government is selling its vast reserves of natural gas to create aluminium smelters that many fear will undermine the livelihoods of entire communities who are dependant upon fishing.

 

Tate Modern

 

The action is part of an ongoing international campaign in support of local resistance against heavy industry in both Iceland and Trinidad.

Saving Iceland has been involved in the organisation of two protest camps held in Iceland and numerous solidarity actions staged across the globe. We are currently coordinating the third protest camp in Iceland, commencing on 6th July 2007.

 

Windy Saint Pauls Cathedral