by Fiona Ferbrache
Organic food, eco-labels, recycling, and emission-saving cars were all part of the line-up at last week’s Öya music Festival in Oslo. Move over music; this Norwegian summer event claims to be one of the most eco-friendly festivals in Europe and already has the European Festival’s Green n Clean award 2010, for its enormous efforts and success in being environmentally responsible. To achieve its high standards, every single detail at the festival has been designed to have minimal impact on the environment, including powering the four stages with renewable energy generated via a hydroelectric dam.
Öya’s eco-friendly policy to adapt to their environment, and not the other way around, stands out as an example for entertainment venues, corporations and governments to follow. Moser & Dilling’s book (2007) “Creating a Climate for Change”, (reviewed by Bailey (2010) in Area), explores the ways in which social change must be fostered towards sustainable living. Communicating successful projects like Öya, illustrates how environmental problems can be successfully reconciled with managing the pressures and demands of operationalising a large-scale music event. These positive results connect with the agenda in While et als. (2010) paper exploring the conflicts and power struggles involved in governmental attempts to attune urban restructuring with environmental protection.
The message is that sustainability should be part of daily life and the Öya festival provides one such example, as well as some pretty good music.
Bailey, I. (2010)Book review. Area. vol.42.1 pp.133-134
While, A., Jones, E.G., Gibbs, D. (2010) From sustainable development to carbon control: eco-state restructuring and the politics of urban and regional development. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers. Vol.35.1. pp.76-93
Geography Directions 