Climate activists block cruise ship in Helsinki
Cruise ship visitors were delayed in Helsinki on Wednesday evening after climate activists blocked the MS Queen Elizabeth at Hernesaari port in Helsinki.
Activists from the Elokapina group, which is part of the international Extinction Rebellion group, delayed the Cunard liner by around an hour.
It had been scheduled to leave for Saint Petersburg, Russia at 5pm, but activists in kayaks paddled to the front of the ship, forcing it to wait.
“We want to draw attention to the environmental and climate crisis,” said Elokapina member Elina Kauppi.
Helsinki police detained one person at the scene of the protest.
Elokapina has been operating in Finland since 2018. They are committed to non-violent actions which cause disruption but draw attention to activities that they believe destabilise the climate.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Inuit group and NGOs renew calls for Arctic heavy fuel oil ban, Radio Canada International
Finland: Giant cruise ships bringing tourists in record numbers to Helsinki, Yle News
Iceland: Arctic tourism in the age of Instagram, Eye on the Arctic special report
Monaco: Sea level rise to provoke ‘profound governance challenges’ & ‘difficult social choices’ says UN climate report, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Rescue services in Arctic Norway not ready for Svalbard cruise boom, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Luxury cruise ship leaves Alaska toward Northern Sea Route, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: Environmental groups call for global moratorium on ‘emissions cheat’ systems on ships, Radio Canada International
