Landvernd

Today, we visited Landvernd, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting Iceland’s nature and overall environment. Here, we met with a member of the organization who presented on the environmental issues that Iceland faces today, the progression of the damage, and what needs to be done moving forward. Our speaker began the presentation by defining the term, sustainable development. The organization believes it to be, “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the possibilities of future generation to meet their own needs”. This definition really stuck with me because I believe that people are less likely to take care of our planet since they are not necessarily directly affected by the consequences of the future. In other words, because resources will not be depleted in my lifetime, I should not have to worry, right? Wrong. This definition makes a point to say that we must be thinking beyond our generation and throughout the presentation, I felt more and more responsible. There is a set of 17 sustainable development goals, used universally, that represent the largest environmental issues and Landvernd is currently using some of those goals in their upcoming projects. Their four main focuses for 2019-2021 are: nature conservation, sustainable society, environmental education, and climate change. One of Landvernd’s largest projects, at the moment, is working towards expanding the national park throughout all of the highlands to prevent damage by tourists in order to achieve nature conservation. This project would protect the land, provide education and awareness about conservation, and provide jobs and income for native Icelanders.

Here is a video that goes into more detail about the project and its great benefits! https://vimeo.com/157900805