The background for the opinion poll is the actions that were carried out in Oslo in February and March. Then several Sami young people and conservationists campaigned against a wind power plant at Fosen in Trøndelag. The Supreme Court has ruled that the wind power plant violates the rights of the reindeer herding Sami to pursue their culture. The campaigners entered the Ministry of Oil and Energy and stayed for several days before the police carried them out. The action then gained greater support and continued in the government quarter. Photo: Rasmus Berg The last time a case about Sami rights received so much attention was when the Alta activists went on hunger strike outside the Storting more than 40 years ago. Kantar has carried out an opinion poll in which 733 electricity customers have answered questions about Fosen. The same questions were asked in 1981 about a hydroelectric plant in Alta. One of the most interesting findings is that half believe that the operation of the wind power plant at Fosen should be stopped, either temporarily or for good. See the most interesting findings here: Greater support for the Sámi At the turn of February – March, a group of Sámi highlighted their attitude to the wind power development at Fosen. Within a week, they blockaded the government quarter and received wide press coverage. The results we have collected show that there is greater support in the population today for the rights of minorities than when the Alta waterway was to be built at the beginning of the 1980s. Heiko Junge / NTBSplittet bögning The population is divided in its attitude to the wind power plants at Fosen. A third (32%) believe the wind power plants should continue to operate, 28% believe they should stop until all conditions are clarified, while 23% believe operation should be stopped for good and the wind turbines removed. Illustration / www.colourbox.comDifferences between the young and the elderly Men and the age group over 60 are most likely to believe that the wind power plants at Fosen should continue to operate, while women predominate among those who believe that operation should be stopped until all conditions are clarified . The age group under 45 is the one who to the greatest extent believes that operation should be stopped and that the wind turbines should be removed. Half then and now The proportion of the population (51%) who believe that operation should be stopped completely (23%) or until all conditions are clarified (28%) is roughly the same as in the election survey from 1981 who answered that the Alta development should wait or be stopped completely (49%). On the other hand, there are fewer people today (32%) who believe that the wind power plants should continue, than who believe that the Alta river should be developed as soon as possible (47%). The results show that a significantly higher proportion of the population today (17%) has not made up their mind and answers “Don’t know” than when the corresponding question was asked in 1981 about the Alta development (4% Don’t know). More tolerance for to show resistance to the authorities The results show that the population has become significantly more tolerant of showing opposition to the authorities’ regulations than was the case in the early 1980s. In the election poll from 1981, 80% answered that they somewhat or completely agreed that it is unacceptable for outside groups to stop development that has been approved by the Storting and the government. Today, no more than 35% say the same. – Joyfully Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen was one of the first to occupy the Ministry of Oil and Energy in February. The activist also played the main role in the film La Elva Leve, which is about the actions for the watercourse between Alta and Kautokeino. She thinks it is a good thing that half support the campaigners’ demand to stop operations at Fosen. – It is gratifying for us who have been involved in this case, and especially for the Fosen Sámi who can know that they have so many people behind them, she believes. Hætta Isaksen has previously stated that the campaigners in the Alta case were pioneering for Sami resistance. Photo: More Filmdistribution Nevertheless, Ella Marie says that waiting for the case to move forward is painful. – We are talking about many, many years of blood, sweat and tears. In the midst of this, it is good news that most people do not support the government dragging out this process, she says. – A lot of similarities In the poll, Kantar writes that it is representative of Norway’s adult population. Eva Fosby Livard is head of department at Kantar, and worked on the opinion poll. Head of department Eva Fosby Livgard says that freedom of expression is stronger today than 40 years ago. Photo: Eivind Molde / news She says that the similarities between the Alta case and the Fosen case are the reason why they took up the measurement from 1981. If you don’t quite see the similarities, Livgard presents a juicy list. – Both cases are about power development. Back then hydropower, now it’s wind power. There are Sami interests, there are reindeer herding, there are environmental interests and there is a case that has been approved by the authorities, but which is appealed to the courts. It is civil disobedience and there are well-known profiles who get involved, she says. The head of department says that one of the most startling findings is that people think it is okay to show opposition to the authorities’ decisions to a greater extent now than in the 80s. – Freedom of expression is stronger today than it was then, she says. What do you mean? Should the wind power plant at Fosen be allowed to continue operating? No! Operations must be terminated, temporarily or for good. Yes! We need more renewable energy. Do not know. Show result – Should have seen that we have come further This is a case that engages, and about which many have opinions. Having said that, the progress of the case is not decided by opinions. That’s according to State Secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Energy, Elisabeth Sæther (Ap). – It’s a difficult process, I’ll be honest about that. I would have liked to have seen that we had come further, she says. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland has repeated several times how important a new knowledge base is to progress in the matter. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news But on Wednesday, NTB reported that the acquisition of new knowledge has not been started, and that the process may drag on well into the next year. The Fosen campaigners made it clear before ending the campaign that they are following closely, and are ready to campaign again if the process takes too long. Nevertheless, Sæther does not fear that new campaigns will be launched. – I have a great understanding that this is a case that engages, also those who campaigned outside the ministry before Easter. Whether they come back, you almost have to ask them. We should be happy that democracy makes it possible for people to express themselves and speak up, she says.
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Opinion poll about Fosen: One in two thinks the plant should be stopped – news Sápmi
