This week there has been a clear police presence in and around Sara kulturhus, as there was on Tuesday afternoon.
A major EU meeting is taking place this week in Skellefteå, with forestry directors from EU countries in attendance. As the meeting is taking place, various environmental and conservation organizations are holding several activities and demonstrations. These organizations argue that Swedish forestry is not sustainable.
One of the program points from the environmental organizations were the speeches held at Sara kulturhus on Tuesday afternoon. The speakers included individuals from the Sami Council and the organizations Greenpeace and Protect the Forest, among others. The keynote speech was delivered by environmental scientist Amanda Tas. She focused her talk on Swedish forestry, arguing that it is not sustainable.
– People constantly assert that Swedish forestry is sustainable, but it's not. Clear-cutting forests is not sustainable, she said.
She asserts that Swedish logging operations are devastating biodiversity.
– Moreover, forests store carbon, and when you cut them down, this carbon is released as carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming, she explains.
She further highlights that logging not only has detrimental effects on reindeer husbandry and vital ecosystem services like the provision of clean water and air, but it also negatively influences social aspects including tourism and traditional activities like berry picking.
The audience gathered on the stairs of Sara kulturhus
Among the audience was prominent opinion leader and environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
- I, along with other activists, have come here to rally against the public relations machinery in action and against those who attempt to portray the destructive practices of Swedish forestry as something sustainable, she said afterwards.
Greta Thunberg was in the audience.