The Norwegian government Oslo Norway

No oil activity in Lofoten, Vesterlen and Senja We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to urge you, the new government of Norway, to protect the coastal waters off Lofoten, Vesterlen and Senja, and to say no to oil and gas activity in this area. If the world is to succeed in preventing dangerous climate change, much of the available fossil fuels will have to be left in the ground. In this situation, avoiding oil and gas activity in some of the worlds most sensitive and biodiversity-rich ecosystems should be the first step. The areas around the Arctic archipelago Lofoten, Vesterlen and Senja are the spawning grounds of the largest remaining cod stock in the world, as well as being vital for other important and valuable fish species. An estimated 3-5 per cent of the worlds fish stock grows up in these areas. A large oil spill here could therefore affect not only the nature and economy of Norway, but also the global food safety situation. The area holds unique cold-water coral reefs, pods of sperm whale and killer whales and some of the largest seabird colonies in Europe. One of the world`s largest seasonal fisheries, with a history of more than thousand years, takes place in Lofoten. The Lofoten islands are also on the tentative world heritage list of UNESCO. Important Norwegian environmental institutions have expressed their opposition to the plan to open up the areas off Lofoten, Vesterlen and Senja for oil and gas activity. We wish to make you aware that this view has international support. We, the undersigned organizations, represent a broad range of environmental organizations, youth organizations, social movements and other civil society organizations. Many of us are involved in our own struggles to keep fossil fuels in the ground. If the new government of Norway decides to open these areas for oil activity, it would set a disappointing precedent internationally, and make it harder for us to argue for stronger restrictions on oil and gas activity from our governments. If not Norway, as one of the riches countries in the world, can afford to leave some of the oil and gas in the soil - which country will then be able to do it? And if not even the valuable and unique areas of Lofoten, Vesterlen and Senja are off limits for the oil and gas industry - which areas are then worth protecting? We ask you to contribute to maintaining Norways reputation as a leader in environmental issues and a strong supporter of keeping global temperature rise below 2C. We ask that you protect the areas off Lofoten, Vesterlen and Senja against oil and gas activity. Sincerely,