Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to say a few words here at the opening of this event, where we have the honour of listening to eminent scientists in the field of environmental science from France and the United Kingdom. They will tell us about their work in getting to know the mechanisms of Mother Earth and what is in store for all of us in the near future. Few topics are more burning and more important.

People in Iceland are waking up to the realities of climate change. Many believe they can already see it happening. Glaciers are retreating and the climate is getting a bit warmer, which may not be all bad at this latitude. But make no mistake about it: unchecked climate change is not good for Iceland, even if we may be more resilient to its effects than many others. We depend on natural riches that have helped us build up a modern and prosperous society; most importantly fisheries and renewable energy. These sources of wealth are sensitive to environmental change. We do not want to play dice with the foundations of our economy and society.

Iceland is in many ways interesting as a testbed for environmental science. Warm and cold ocean currents meet in Icelandic waters, and relatively small changes in climate can have big effects. There are few better indicators of climate change on Earth than Iceland’s glaciers. Only last month we adopted a law establishing Europe’s largest national park around the continent’s biggest glacier, Vatnajökull. This majestic icecap could disappear in a century or two if global warming proceeds unchecked.

We have no plans to lose Vatnajökull or our other glaciers. Iceland without ice would be unthinkable for us who live here. It would also be a bad omen for the rest of the world. The Icelandic government recently adopted a new climate change strategy, pledging to be at the forefront in the global fight against climate change. We believe that our small nation can have an important contribution in this, especially in improving and exporting climate-friendly technology in geothermal energy and other fields.

It is also important for Icelandic scientists to be actively involved in global environmental science and climate projections. I am therefore grateful to the organizers of this event and to our speakers for coming here. Climate change is a global concern requiring and global action. This action needs to be guided by sound science and public awareness. I believe that this event will help raise the awareness of the science and realities of environmental change here in Iceland.

Thank you.