Björk has officially launched a venture capital fund aimed at rebuilding her country by investing in socially and environmentally sustainable companies that tap Iceland’s highly educated population and extensive water and green energy resources. Sounds good to us!

Audur Capital, the company managing the project, said: “Instead of talking about the problems we have, she is on a mission to build a sustainable Iceland that’s not going to leave the country in worse shape for future generations.”

Here at the Razz we’re jazzed to hear about Björk’s latest project and look forward to seeing what kind of change she will inspire. Keep on rocking the good stuff, girl!

via: abcnews.go.com

In an interview with AP, Bjork spoke of what motivated her to write Nattura, saying “I think I’m just one of many people who have stood up and spoken out. But I have to do it. I will not be able to live with my own conscience when my grandchildren drive around Iceland and it’s just full of factories and smelters. I mean, that would be horrendous.”

Check out the Nattura music video on YouTube, and watch below as Bjork explains her passion for protecting the natural beauty of Iceland.

Iceland is in some serious trouble and Bjork thinks going green just might help! Bjork thinks the best way to rescue her country’s ailing economy is by supporting local eco-friendly businesses and using the financial slump as an opportunity to clean up the environment.

Bjork became angry when she learned the government had plans to build two huge aluminum smelters — insisting that authorities promote greener fuel choices. In a recent article on TimesOnline, she wrote:

“To take this much energy from geothermal fields is not sustainable. We are facing a disaster from betting everything on finance. If we build two more aluminum smelters, Iceland would become the biggest aluminum smelter in the world… It would leave little room for anything else. If the price of aluminum falls – as it is doing – it would be catastrophic. Iceland can be more self-sufficient and more creative – and still have an approach that is more 21st than 19th century. It can build fewer, smaller and greener dams.

“Let’s use this economic crisis to become totally sustainable. Teach the world all we know about geothermal power plants. Support the Icelandic seed companies. Support the grass roots. It may take longer to build and deliver profits but it is solid, stable and something that will stand independently of the rollercoaster rides of Wall Street and volatile aluminum prices. And it will help Iceland to remain what it is best at: being a gorgeous, untouched force of nature.”

In other Icelandic news, best-selling inspirational and vegan author Victoria Moran (who’s seriously like a God over there) is currently in Iceland giving talks and trying to raise spirits! Moran is a friend of Ecorazzi and we wish her all the best! Keep up the good work, Victoria!

To read Bjork’s full article, visit TimesOnline.com!

Performing at one of the largest gigs in Iceland’s history, singer Bjork urged fans to think green and make this century one that’s in greater harmony with nature. The event was organized to raise awarness of a proposed aluminum smelter in the country and its negative impact on the environment.

“Too often battles being fought for nature turn into something negative and into mudslinging,” she said. “We will not go that way, we are not saying that this and that is forbidden, we are rather asking ‘What about all these other possibilities?’ The 21st century is not going to be another oil century but rather a century where we need to recycle, think green and design both power plants and our surroundings in harmony with nature.”

Opponents of the smelter say that wilderness areas will be flooded and destroyed as a result of dams being built for geothermal and hydoelectric power for the installation — ironically, both clean sources of energy. The problem is — and as Bjork alludes — is that the smelter will not be built with ‘environmental harmony’ in mind. When a previous aluminum plant in Iceland went online in 2006, waterfalls disappeared, beautiful canyons dried up, and animals were displaced. In other words, Iceland is faced with the difficult decision of economic gain or environmental preservation.

10,000 people seem to think the latter is worth pursuing. Let’s hope the rest of the country cares enough to weigh in.

Now Bjork is getting back to her roots and staging a concert, along with a few other Icelandic musicians, on June 28th to raise awareness about environmental issues in the country. Bjork states in an interview on her blog that the group of musicians aren’t “nature experts” or politicians, but they do want to do more for the environment. 

Bjork’s said: “The 21st century is not going to be another oil century but rather a century where we need to recycle, think green and design both power plants and our surroundings in harmony with nature.”

Bjork joins a long line of musicians around the world who are all super excited about saving the world, including Willie Nelson, Radiohead, Bono and so, so many others. If you happen to live in Iceland check out Bjork’s concert and let us know how it is. It doesn’t seem very environmentally friendly for us to fly all the way to Iceland for one show. Sorry Bjork! 

via: greendaily.com

via Green Daily