Since this morning, hundreds of people have responded to the call of EXTINTION REBellion and the Green Youth Movement and are blocking the largest oil refinery of Norway, that of Mongstad, near Bergen. Three entrances were closed by groups of demonstrators on the ground, while by sea a cord of kayak activists prevented access to ships.
The mobilization is part of the week of action launched by the Nordic Climate Justice Coalition, an alliance of climatic movements that, from 16 to 23 August, is organizing protests in Norway to denounce the country’s oil industry and unmask – say the organizers – “the myth of the Nordic countries as green and progressive leaders”.
Voices from the blockade: “Climate collapse has no boundaries”
Many of the participants also arrived from abroad. “I crossed Europe to be here,” says Extinction Rebellion Italian artist, artist and activist. “I come from Emilia Romagna, a land devastated by repeated floods. I am here because it is the time that the main countries producing oil and gas – Norway like Italy – take on their responsibilities”.
Even Simone, another activist arrested after having blocked one of Equinor’s ships in Kayak, underlined the political context: “We are here because, in view of the September elections, Norway has no plan to leave the fossil”.
Greta Thunberg and Aurora: “Oil belongs to the past”
Greta Thunberg and the Norwegian singer Aurora also attended the protest, who reiterated the need for an immediate transition.
“The truth is that oil has no future,” said Greta Thunberg in Reuters. “Fossil fuels bring only death and destruction. This is why we have to press pressure on morally corrupt producers such as Norway, which has blood on the hands”.
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Aurora, an international voice of alternative pop, motivated his presence as follows: “When no one assumes responsibility, people have to do it. Oil destroys the sea and the air and pushes peoples to the war. It has nothing to do with the future: it belongs to the past”.
A country in contradiction
The choice of Mongstad refinery is not accidental. The plant, owned by the Equinor giant, is the symbol of Norwegian dependence on oil. Despite the “green” country image, Norway remains the main European gas manufacturer and one of the largest oil exporters, with about 2% of world production.
According to a survey released by the national statistical office and released by the Reuters agency, in 2025 investments in the oil and gas sector will reach the record level of 274.8 billion in Norwegian crowns (almost 27 billion dollars), and then begin to drop in 2026. A figure that confirms how, at least in the short term, the fossil industry remains in the Norwegian economy.
The elections at the doors
The calendar of protests is not accidental: on 8 September the parliamentary elections will be held, a crucial appointment to decide the future energy policy of the country. Despite the climatic urgency, no concrete plan has yet been presented in the electoral debate for a progressive exit from the fossil. Activists intend to keep the pressure high at least until the vote, announcing new actions also in Oslo in the next few days. As struggle summarized, the Italian activist: “Climate collapse has no boundaries. We need responsibility now, not promised for the future”.
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