Reykjavík, Iceland
Hildure Runa Hauksdottir, mother of the international pop star Björk, has begun a fourth week without food to protest energy development in an Icelandic wildlife reserve. The 56-year-old is on a hunger strike to try to convince the U.S. company Alcoa not to build a hydroelectric plant and smelter near Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Alcoa and the Icelandic government say the plant, the country’s largest-ever development project, will create 1,000 jobs. But environmental groups fear the construction of a reservoir and a 600-foot dam will irreparably damage part of the unique Icelandic wilderness. Hauksdottir has lost 15 pounds since she stopped eating. “I’m not sure I could go on for another 40 days,” she said, “but it is incredible how much support I am getting.”
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