Greta Thunberg joins around 200 climate activists in a significant protest at the Mongstad oil refinery in Norway, organized by Extinction Rebellion. The demonstration, considered the largest in Norwegian history, calls for a phase-out plan for oil and gas production. The protest occurs just weeks before Norway's parliamentary elections, highlighting the country's responsibility as Europe's largest oil and gas producer.
Greta Thunberg Leads Major Climate Protest at Norwegian Oil Refinery
Greta Thunberg Leads Major Climate Protest at Norwegian Oil Refinery
Climate activists have blocked the Mongstad oil refinery in Norway, with Greta Thunberg present on site.
Around 200 demonstrators are outside the Mongstad oil refinery protesting against the oil and gas industry. The climate network Extinction Rebellion Norway describes it as the largest climate action in Norwegian history.
"Will Continue"
Charlie Andrén, active in the Swedish organization Take Back the Future, is participating in the demonstration, which takes place a few weeks before the Norwegian parliamentary elections.
– We have established three blockades, and we are here to demand that Norway must have a phase-out plan. As Norway is the largest producer of oil and gas in Europe, they bear an enormous responsibility for the climate crisis, they say.
No police are yet on site, and according to Charlie Andrén, the situation is calm in the morning.
– We will continue to block the refinery as long as we see it necessary, they say.
Greta Thunberg on Site
Around 50 Swedes are present, with Greta Thunberg among them.
– She has been involved in much of what we have done. It is incredibly important that she is here. She is an important person, and what she says is important for us to highlight, says Milla Haugen of Extinction Rebellion Norway to Bergensavisen.
According to the organization, the demonstrators have closed all major vehicle entrances to the oil refinery. This is confirmed by Ellen Maria Skjelsbæk, spokesperson for Equinor. The action was pre-announced, and Skjelsbæk reports that various measures have been taken due to the situation.
– Several measures have been taken to ensure safe operations, including asking several people to work from home, she says.
Storting member Ove Trellevik from the Conservative Party reacts strongly to the demonstration, which is still considered legal for the time being.
– They should be ashamed. They are giving Putin a gift of great dimensions with such a protest, he tells Bergensavisen.