22 September 2021
Viktoria Hotel
Europe/Oslo timezone

Defending the North; Sami Environmental Defenders and the Fight Against Displacement

22 Sep 2021, 10:05
20m
Viktoria Hotel

Viktoria Hotel

Skansegata 1, 4006 Stavanger
Social and spatial justice in times of transition Parallell session 1

Speaker

Sedona Anderson

Description

Throughout the history of extractive industries, we’ve seen a “profits first” model that places profits over people and a livable planet. Often it is marginalized communities that bear the brunt of the negative impacts from these projects. Now, we are beginning to see similar conflicts not only within extractive industries, but within the transition to a green economy as well. If we are to succeed in combatting the climate crisis, we cannot take the same “profits first” model and simply apply it to renewable industries. Our study explores how renewable energy projects can move forward with an integrated consideration of ecology, culture, and community while valuing transparency over profit.

Our team of international and interdisciplinary researchers have collaborated to present information in a novel way. Utilizing contemporary media tools, we have shown the dilemmas and complexities of just transitions in one of the largest green-energy projects in Norway – Fosen Vind - through a study of the Storheia windpark and the South Sami community it displaced. We presented direct source information from a South Sami reindeer herder, an industry worker, and a renewable energy expert in a documentary format utilizing interview and site visit footage, as well as background research from a literature review in an interactive website. Our study uses a journalistic lens to provoke discussion around how to create a lasting green economy that cooperates with and learns from indigenous communities.

I am willing and able to travel to Norway unless Covid-19 restrictions prevent me from traveling to Stavanger. YES
GDPR complianced Yes

Primary authors

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