Over 3000 people have pledged to take direct action if the power stations go ahead. Artificial fertilisers are energy intensive to produce. They can poison worms and soil life. This means that the soil loses biological activity and is less able to support plant growth, which in turn forces the farmer to use more fertiliser to maintain good yields. Soil subject to artificial fertiliser is prone to drying out and becoming waterlogged in rain.
Fertilisers also encourage the growth of weeds requiring the use of herbicides.
Artificial fertilisers also pollute drinking water with nitrates. The Future in Our Hands has investigated Norsk Hydro s track record in third world countries. The preliminary studies have already caused violent disturbances with arrests and injuries and there are reports of violent attacks by company employees or contractors against indigenous peoples. The David Hoffman photo library carries copies of photographs from the first genetiX snowball action on 4th July 1998.