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Statement by Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland
At the dawn of the 21st century, Iceland is at the centre of climate change. Our glaciers, the largest in
Europe, are receding rapidly and so increasing the likelihood of dramatic volcanic eruptions. The ocean
currents, transformed by the melting of the neighbouring Arctic ice cap, could alter their movements so
as to affect every continent on earth. Iceland’s entire water systems, wildlife, patterns of soil and land
alterations are no longer as they used to be.
These changes present extraordinary democratic and moral challenges to our scientists and policymakers, to
civil society and political institutions. The key to addressing such challenges will invariably be knowledge.
Icelandic scientists have studied the glaciers and mapped the weather patterns for decades in all regions of
the country, often assisted by enlightened citizens and an actively engaged public. Early on, research on the
oceans and soil preservation became the pride of the nation and represented an important contribution to
global understanding.
We can now draw on this wealth of wisdom to enable other countries to gain a new perspective on the
changes in their part of the world. But Iceland has more to offer.
In the second half of the 20th century Iceland decided to transform its entire national energy system from
primary dependence on fossil fuels to become a global leader in the area of clean and sustainable energy.
Our experience proves that it is possible to combat climate change if the necessary energy policies are put
into action, and if citizens and governments alike take up such initiatives in earnest.
Iceland thus represents both a warning and a vision to the world. It demonstrates the alarming rate of
climate change, but also how it can be averted.
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
President of Iceland