Greta Thunberg protests wind farm in Norway | outside

Dozens of activists blocked access to the buildings of one of the main companies operating the wind farm, state-owned Statkraft, on Thursday. A day earlier, about two dozen Sami, many wearing traditional costumes, also protested in the Norwegian parliament. The police took them away after they refused to leave themselves. Hundreds of activists also stood outside.

The wind farm in question consists of 151 turbines, which constitute the largest onshore wind farm in Europe. It is located in the Fussen region, 450 kilometers north of Oslo.

In October 2021, the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled that construction of the wind farm violated the rights of the Sami, who have used the land for reindeer herding for centuries. However, nothing has happened since then to change the situation.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Sture has already acknowledged that there is an “ongoing violation of human rights.” The government also apologized several times for not doing anything about the situation. However, according to Energy Minister Terje Aasland, dismantling all wind turbines is not an option.

Greta Thunberg joined the protest on Thursday. According to the climate activist, the energy company Statkraft – which owns 80 turbines on the site – and other wind farm owners must demand a solution “so that green energy can be properly developed in the future, without violating the rights of indigenous people.” “.

On Wednesday, a Swedish court again fined Thunberg 5,500 kroner (475 euros) for resisting arrest on July 24. She then participated in a protest in Malmö, where she blocked the road to the port due to the use of fossil fuels there. According to prosecutors, she did not follow police orders and disturbed public order. Thunberg was arrested along with five others.

A few hours ago, the judge sentenced her to a fine of 130 euros, also for resisting arrest. This incident occurred in June during a similar demonstration.

As she left the court, Thunberg pointed to what she saw as the injustice of convicting activists and allowing polluters to do their work. “This shows exactly the shortcomings of our system. Those who try to defend people, planet and life are the ones who face these kinds of legal consequences,” Thunberg said.