Antlers, wind, and greencolonialism

Submitted by Elina Turbina

Translator: Kaja Bugten, Illustration: Signe Aanes

Back in 2021, the Norwegian Supreme court concluded that the development of the wind parks in Fosen was a violation of Sámi rights, as they actively disturb, and change the local ecosystem. This ruling, however, has had no de facto consequences on the operation of the park. The wind turbines, partially owned by the state energy company Statkraft, are still being employed as I am writing this.

There is no surprise then, that the activists chose to occupy the Ministry: their state actively breaches its own laws and rulings in favor of green colonialism, here and elsewhere. It is simply and blatantly a hypocritical stance of the Norwegian state: choosing to continue actively ignoring the concerns of those contributing the least to this consumption, making them pay for the cost of climate change mitigation efforts.

The continuous overstepping of the law in Fosen shows a concerning reality facing at the very least Norway: the hypocrisy of “green growth” and its related concepts like “sustainable development” and “the Nordic Model” propose a false, naive, and misleading hope that if we push the exploitation of our environment into technological advancement, we would be able to stop, or at least avoid feeling the severity of climate change. This is simply a fantasy, as “decoupling” the ability to continue growing the economy without it continuously negatively influencing the environment, is proven to be impossible.

The constant need for more energy exists only because we as a society consume unreasonably more energy than we need to. Industrial scale “green” energy ultimately advances climate change and ecological destruction, as it does not address energy consumption. The solution to that is simple– to review the way we use energy and our natural resources. Although the logic of this alternative thinking has been developed by people like Arne Næss, as well as thinkers of deep ecology, post-development and degrowth disciplines, these are still considered radical and marginal. The truth is that in the capitalist mode of operation, we will never have enough energy, resources, or money. And none of these can help offset the severity of the damage the planet has already been subjected to.

What can be done about this then? The obvious solution is to speak and act on the injustices that are upheld to this exact moment. Support the Sámi people in their fight for their rights by voicing your discontent with the continuous operation of the wind turbines. Question Norway’s need for development (“sustainable” or not) as one of the most advanced countries in the world. And maybe reconsider your relationship with the world around you.