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May
20
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Rhubarb Stew
Watch an audio slideshow of how traditional Icelandic rhubarb stew is made. Rhubarb is one of the few vegetables that grows effortlessly in Iceland and for that reason it used to be a highly-valued addition to the traditional diet of fish and lamb.
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18.03.2012 | 11:00
Iceland’s Ecological Footprint (ZR)
That’s right; Iceland has the world’s largest ecological footprint. The country you thought was so green, bubbling with renewable energy, and its people so close to nature, is leaving a larger than most mark on the planet.
This is according to research conducted by environmental scientist and University of Iceland graduate Sigurður Eyberg Jóhannesson as part of his graduate thesis.
The ecological footprint is a way of measuring human pressure on the planet and its resources. It measures how much land and water area in hectares an individual and population requires to produce what it consumes and to absorb its carbon dioxide emissions.
Sigurður researched the consumption habits of Icelanders, including his own. Shocked to learn that his ecological footprint was greater than ten hectares—to live sustainably, an estimated footprint of 2.1 hectares is required—he embarked on a quest to reduce his impact on the environment and try to live within the two hectare limit.
Sigurður, who published his research in 2010 and is in the final stages of production of a documentary on the subject, kicked off the University of Iceland’s annual Green Day’s series of events held earlier this week with a lecture on his findings.
He is however quick to point out the weaknesses in the footprint methodology and warns against using it as a sole measure of sustainability, but rather suggests using it along with other indicators. The current methodology does not, for example, properly account for Iceland’s unique situation when it comes to the fishing industry and renewable energy production.
The fact that most products consumed in Iceland are also manufactured abroad, in most cases with the use of non-renewable energy, and then transported to the country, also needs to be factored in.
The evidence points, nonetheless, to Icelanders being the world’s biggest consumers with an average footprint of up to 12.7 hectares. In comparison, Saudi Arabia has a footprint of 9.46 hectares per person, the United States 9.42, and many developing countries have an average footprint well within the sustainable 2.1 hectares.
And the message is clear: current levels of global consumption cannot be sustained; we would require another half a planet Earth to meet such demands for the planet’s resources. What’s more, if we all consumed as the average Icelander, we would need six planet Earths. Either way, many of us are living well beyond our means.
With Fermingar, or Confirmation, a longstanding coming of age tradition for 14-year olds in Iceland, fast approaching, the newspapers are full of advertisements with gift ideas—everything including iPads, flight vouchers, hairdryers, beds, and lots and lots of clothes. But, we may ask ourselves: how many of those electrical appliances, dresses and pairs of sneakers do we really need?
That’s not to say that we shouldn’t buy gifts for our teenage friends and relatives, or that it’s time to wallow in despair. Icelanders have come a long way in recent years too, Sigurður points out. They have taken to recycling reasonably well and there is an increased level of awareness on environmental issues among the population—but it’s high time for these actions to be stepped up.
Zoë Robert – zoe_robert3@hotmail.com
The Identification Committee of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police yesterday completed its investigation of human remains found by travelers on the beach Kaldbaksvík in Strandir, the eastern West Fjords, on Saturday.
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The government of Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir will formally step down after a state council meeting with President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson at his residence Bessastaðir at 11 am today. At 3 pm, the new government of Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson will attend a state council meeting and afterwards formally take power.
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Air traffic was grounded at Keflavík International Airport for up to two hours this morning due to a failure in the flight data system. Due to the delay, many passengers missed their connecting flights.
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Prospective Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, chair of the Progressive Party, and prospective Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson, chair of the Independence Party, presented their government agreement at a press conference in the old district school at Laugarvatn in South Iceland today.
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May
19
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Sigur Rós to Appear on Jay Leno
May
17
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Finnish President to Visit Iceland
May
17
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Top 10 in Iceland
May
17
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Iceland through to Eurovision Final
May
16
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Puffins Overhunted in Vestmannaeyjar
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The 2013 April-May issue of Iceland Review & Atlantica has been released. Packed with informative and entertaining stories, highlights include an interview with outgoing Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and the people who know her best, a photo essay of ice caves in Europe’s largest glacier and a colorful feature on life in the West Fjords.
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REVIEWS
May
15
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Shorts & Docs Galore
The 11th Reykjavík Shorts & Docs. Catch it while it lasts!
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May
20
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Inspired by Ísafjörður
Artist couple Nína Ivanova and Ómar Smári Kristinsson explain why they decided to settle in the West Fjords’ capital.
May
20
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Reykjavík Queer Choir Spring Concert
Reykjavík Queer Choir’s annual spring concert takes place on Friday, May 24.
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