Growing opposition against oil drilling
A clear majority of Norwegians is against hydrocarbon drilling in the Lofoten and Vesterålen areas in northern Norway, a new study from the WWF Norway concludes. Meanwhile, the oil industry continues to push for an opening of the area.
The poll conducted by the company Visendi on behalf of World Wildlife Fund Norway shows that 58 percent of the 1269 respondents agree that “the Lofoten and Vesteralen areas should be closed for hydrocarbon activities”. The number of oil and gas supporters total 32,4 percent of respondents.
In northern Norway the opposition against the drilling is even bigger with 66,2 percent supporting the protection of the vulnerable area. Here, 19,6 percent welcome the oil industry.
The study shows a growing opposition against the oil industry. Several previous polls have indicated regional support to an opening of the Lofoten waters.
Environmentalists rejoicing
-Now, people are starting to grasp the realities, WWF leader Rasmus Hansson says in a press release. –The oil industry has tried to fool people to think that oil only brings good, he adds. –The oil industry has little to offer what concerns employment and the activities will pose a major risk to nature.
Oil industry pushing
Meanwhile, the Norwegian oil industry continues to push for an opening of the hydrocarbon-rich area. –There is a 30 percent chance for hydrocarbon findings in the Lofoten and Vesteralen, which makes the area a world-class region for the industry, StatoilHydro’s Geir Richardsen said at a seminar last week, newspaper Nordlys reports.
Fish industry against oil
The environmentalists get full support from the fish industry in the Lofoten issue. –We will under no circumstances allow oil drilling in Lofoten and Vesteralen, says head of the Norwegian Fishery Association, Mr. Jan Skjervø.
