A conflict has arisen on Grimsås bog outside Tranemo in Västra Götaland.
Activists from Restore Wetlands are trying to stop a company from extracting peat by standing in the way and climbing onto the backhoes.
– We know that doing little, going to a legal demonstration or writing petitions does not lead to anything, says Helen Wahlgren, co-founder of Restore wetlands.
In Grimsås Mosse outside Tranemo, summer is colored by conflict. Activists from the group Restore Wetlands are trying to stop peat mining at the site by sitting in the road or climbing onto the excavators being used. The protests have led to confrontations with employees and police, and several activists have been arrested.
– We don’t know that doing a little, going to a legal demonstration or writing petitions will lead to anything. This is what is required and it is really required of everyone if you know what the climate disaster means, says Helen Wahlgren, co-founder of Restore Wetlands.
Have permission
The group has built plugs in the trenches the company has dug in the bog to prevent the land from drying out. They are also working on establishing an unofficial nature reserve to attract visitors and thus prevent peat mining.
Neova, the company carrying out the work, points out that they have a permit for peat mining and are critical of Restoräll Våtmarker’s actions.
– We have our job and we have excellent permits and everything is in order. We have everything on our side and feel that we are doing nothing wrong. Then it’s not nice to be here when you have this part with Restore wetlands and their actions, says Peter Persson, production manager Neova.
The locals are critical
Parts of the land where the bog is located are owned by the company Nexans, one of the region’s largest employers. They are afraid that dust from the peat mining will affect their fiber cable production and have appealed Neova’s permit. The issue must now be decided by the government. Grimsås residents have also protested against the peat mining, including through demonstration marches. Viktora and Jesper Rydin live only 500 meters from the bog.
– We don’t know what’s going on here, but I think we have to start now and go in the right direction, says Viktoria Rydin.
– You are closest to yourself. It’s always like that, the local environment is super important. But when you realize that it will also affect the rest of the world, then you are actually horrified, says Jesper Rydin.