Iceland review - 2019, Page 17

15
Iceland Review
The environment. You hear about its
decline every day. You read about it. You
watch it on TV. It makes you wish for Donna
Summer’s I Feel Love on the radio instead
of reports about rising CO2 emissions.
But statistics on climate change are
everywhere, including Iceland. Local news
reports the vegan population is growing,
even as the country’s glaciers shrink. Even
the traditionally conservative Icelandic
clergy is urging the government to declare a
climate emergency.
Despite all this, Iceland’s CO2 emissions
have been steadily rising in recent years.
In 2016, they were the highest per capita of
all EU and EFTA countries. While Iceland’s
CO2 emissions dipped between 2008 and
2012, the trend has since reversed, largely
due to air activity, marine transport, and
basic metal production. The public is
growing more aware of the threat of climate
change and even calling on the government
to make large-scale policy changes. Is the
government acting quickly or drastically
enough to address the problem?
Individuals and industry
Increase in Iceland’s air activity is both due
to locals taking more international flights
and growth in tourism to the country. A
study shows that 83% of Icelanders trav-
elled abroad in the year 2018, compared
to 2009, when only 44% of the nation did.
Awareness of the pollution emitted by flying
has led to the creation of the term flug-
skömm or “flight shame,” indicating that
at least some travellers’ habits nag their
conscience. Unfortunately, the shame does
Growing Environmental Awareness
Words by
Ragnheiður Jóhannsdóttir
Photography by
Golli
IN FOCUS
Iceland’s CO2 emissions have been
steadily rising in recent years.
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