On Saturday, a group of climate activists, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and members of Extinction Rebellion, staged a blockade of a major gas and oil processing plant in southwest Norway. The protest, aimed at disrupting the facility’s operations, involved a diverse range of tactics.
Extinction Rebellion Norway, in a social media post, stated that eight kayaks and three motorboats had entered a security zone outside the Karsto processing plant, with the goal of “preventing the normal operation of tankers.” Simultaneously, activists, including Thunberg, gathered on land to block the facility’s gates.
“We cannot stand idly by as the fossil fuel industry robs people of their lives and destabilises our life support systems,” Thunberg was quoted as saying in the post, highlighting the protesters’ urgency and frustration with the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels.
The Karsto plant, operated by Norway’s Equinor, is the largest of its kind in Europe, according to the company. It serves as a processing hub for around 30 oil and gas fields, underscoring its significance in Norway’s energy production.
A spokesperson for Equinor confirmed the protest, stating, “A group of activists have gathered outside parts of the facility, but at this stage, the plant is operating as normal.” The spokesperson, Ellen Maria Skjelbaek, added that the police were addressing the situation.
This protest serves as a stark reminder of the growing global movement demanding action against climate change. Activists are increasingly turning to disruptive tactics to draw attention to the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels. The blockade of the Karsto plant highlights the tension between environmental concerns and the economic realities of a major oil and gas producing nation like Norway.
