Greenpeace is taking a group of European authors to northern Finland to see how “ancient forests” are allegedly being threatened by commercial logging.
Authors Niccolo Ammaniti from Italy, Javier Moro from Spain and Ken Finn from the UK will tour northern Lapland, where Greenpeace says logging by Metsahallitus is affecting Sámi reindeer herders’ traditional way of life.
Greenpeace says the visit will help efforts by the Sámi to protect old-growth forests considered vital in supporting reindeer herding.
The environmental group has established a “forest rescue station” in the Sámi territory, with volunteers helping local people demarcate their traditional herding lands.
Greenpeace is calling on UK magazine publishers, including the BBC, EMAP and IPC to stop buying paper sourced from the Sámi region. Xerox has already committed to stop purchasing paper from the area.
Other Sámi have protested that Greenpeace’s action to limit use of forestland has a negative impact on their way of life.
