In Iceland, 99.9% of all electricity is renewable, hydro or geothermal. Icelandic nature is, like Björk says in the article above, "almost untouched". Iceland is not putting its money into supporting Alcoa and Rio Tinto as Björk says. Iceland is enjoying the benefits of their foreign investments.

Gústaf Adolf Skúlason, Reykjavík, Iceland

At least Icelandic Aluminium has a low carbon footprint. Big dam, or millions of tonnes of CO2? Jobs or no jobs? Modern life is a compromise with democracy, pragmatic regulation, elegant leadership and dialogue the only moderators. It seems we have ALL been lacking self-control over the past decade

Jason Fish, Aberdeen, Scotland

I'm proud that Björk is my countrywoman! For every tonne of aluminium metal, a tonne of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. Icelanders therefore have as large a carbon footprint as people in the UK . We need to sequester not produce CO2 to reduce the quantity from 385 to 350 ppm. www.350.org

Vala Ragnarsdottir, Bristol, UK

How is geothermal not to all intents and purposes renewable energy?
Living on a constructive plate boundry the lava fields will continue to increase in size. There is enogh desolate wasteland of rocks for smelters.
Building them here with clean energy is far better than elsewhere and using oil

Richard, london, England

It comes as quite a shock to read a political opinion by a, normally, non-political person, beautifully written, well informed and no spin!! Björk for prime minister? Vote now!

K.Hall, Helsinki, Finland

At face value it is difficult to argue with Bjork on the environmental impact - at least without taking a look in person and hearing the arguments for the idea.

She is however completely correct about Gordon Brown. Terrorism Act to protect UK savers. Democracy took a hit that day.

Alex , London,

Why preventing a default?

Go bankrupt, restart all over again. Nobody would blame you...

Peter, Berlin, Germany

What we need now, are more people aware of the real problems, like Björk. It makes no sense to give in to panic and destroy natural treasures to save an outdated financial system with no real long-term alternatives. We will need all the courage and foolhardiness Iceland (and others) have in store!

Erna, St Mihiel, France

I agree with Bjork generally. However, as someone who withdrew money from Icelandic banks the week before our government took any action, I say again that the UK is not to blame. Do not make us your scapegoat! Icelandic banks were going down which is why action was taken, not the other way round.

Cathy, Bristol, UK

Iceland is the land of 'beautiful geysers'The world of banking is certainly not the land of 'beautiful geezers.' It is an absolute disgrace that though the Bankers failed the sub prime mortgage market. Some have reaped billions out of corporate failure.Whist the real victims lose home & pension!

John Inman, London, U.K

Hold on Contax - The government backed all deposits be they domestic or foreign and they expected a distant neighbour to do likewise. The Icelandic Government refused to guarantee the deposits. Therefore the government acted on a UK SUBSIDIARY looking out for its own people first - AS IT SHOULD DO!!

Gareth, Lichfield,

Iceland needs all the revenues and jobs it can get to pay it's way out of debt! Making alu with renewable energies makes sense ecologically as long as strict rules are respected. Ecofundamentalism will not get Iceland back on track! Hightec jobs will help but a economy cannot solely be based on them

Einar Arnarsson, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

I do hope that the Icelandic people listens to Bjork and takes better care of their beautiful country. The only thing that has gotten us all in this global mess is, greed. Time to revalue our priorities if we want to stay on this planet a bit longer.

Michaela, Georgtown, Cayman

In recent years the traditional industries in icelandic country side have been on the decline. Jobs in farming and specially fishing have been lost and smelters have unfortunally been the only move the icelandic government has made to create new jobs.

Steinar, Reykjavik, Iceland

It must be swell living in that land of music with Bjork where the normal laws of economics are suspended. Where all can live happily without using energy and normally low wage jobs in tourism and eco friendly cottage industries produce a high living standard. Please stay on tour and leave us alone!

Ari, Reykjavik, Iceland

I could not agree more. Iceland is nature´s wonderland and has endless sustainable possiblities. Keep on Björk.

Dennis David Jóhannesson, Reykjavik, iceland

Michael: Iceland intents to fully refund foreign savers to the extend of the laws and agreements made with those accounts. The icelandic government has never stated otherwise. Is it right to punish a company or a nation or even a person on the grounds that they "might possibly" behave unlawfully?

Steinar, Reykjavik, Iceland

The Demagogue Mr. Brown plays the stupid UK public, as mr Michael Taunton above.
GB said in defence of his act that money were being transferred from the UK accounts, what isbanking is about? - keeping the money you deposit in the bank? of course it had been lent out.
That is banking duh!

David Davidsson, Reykjavik, Iceland

Of course nobody here thinks Icelanders are terrorists. Wasn't the terrorism act used because it was the only way we have of quickly freezing bank accounts? How else did you expect our government to protect our savers? Haven't we lent your government £100 million? The problem is of your making.

Rob, Glasgow,

Icelandic families are in great fear:
The housing loans, with sky-rocket interest (I wish someone would explain to foreigners about the special Icelandic interest called "verðtrygging").
The Icelandic housing policy that everybody has to buy there own flat.

Rósa Halldórsdóttir, Reykjavik, Iceland

Aluminum is not green. It needs 30 times more electricity to produce each ton compared to steel. It causes huge damage in Jamaica, India and other places in the world where the bauxite is mined and refineries leave a great amount of caustic waste and harm to ecosystems. Go Björk!

John Lyndon, Kingston, Jamaica

The working culture that both parents work (because of the small population and the expensve loans).
The low-wages policy in Iceland.
Unsecure icelandic children that seldom see there parents (because of long work-day)

Rósa Halldórsdóttir, Reykjavik, Iceland

A thoughtful article and the picture of Bjork is absolutely fantastic - however I agree with Michael of Taunton - we needed to protect as best we could the interests of the British saver.

Nick, Chalfont St Peter, England

I would like to apologise to Iceland for the act of economic terrorism committed by Gordon Brown. His using anti-terrorist laws against law-abiding Icelandic companies was outrageous and smear on the character of every person in the UK.

We will do our utmost to remove him at the election

Peter, London,

@Jamie McCulloch: Building aluminium smelters is not environmentally friendly, they require massive amounts of water and electricity, they pollute the air, soil and water. If you like them so much, you can have them.

If we want to invest in aluminium, lets invest in recycling rather than smelting.

Egill R. Erlendsson, Reykjavik, Iceland

I am very proud of you Björk. You are so to the point in all your work and now you have taken up in full flight the fight for nature in our wonderful land. It is so important that a person like Björk takes up the environmental issues she is such a good example for the yonger generation. Keep up dear

Elín G. Ólafsdóttir, Reykjavik, Iceland

they should release angry bjork on the people who started it - they'd capitulate pretty quickly...

Armand Tamzarian, London,

Actually aluminum is a very green product as it's lighter than steel. When used in planes, cars, etc they burn far less fuel = pollute less. So I say more dams and smelters for Iceland. Thanks to TB for showing what we all knew( and so soon 2) . Terrorist laws are for everyone but terrorists

Jamie McCulloch, London, UK

Brown is not the fairly elected democratic leader of Britain. He is a politically appointed apparatchik, and the principal architect of this disaster. The sooner we have a General Election the better. May envious Labour be consigned to the dustbin of history and Scotland gain it's own freedoms.

Chris, London,

Very poignant Bjork. I'd like to apologise to the Icelandic people for the unfriendly actions of Gordon Brown and his government. Thanks for drawing my attention to the actions of Alcoa who are infamous for poisoning the air, land and water that belongs to all of humanity.

carol, Enfield, UK

Brown behaved badly, especially as it now turns out Darling had warning there were problems there. Iceland's politicians especially behaved badly, and especially stupid was appointing a politician to the Central Bank role.

Neil Murphy, cromer,

You said nothing said about paying back your countries debts and refunding British and Dutch savers Bjork. Why is this?.
It is no good blaiming Brown because it is possible he knew or worried that Iceland might defalt. He was right to act to protect British investors.

Michael, Taunton, England

It pains me to see Iceland in such toils as it is going through at present. Equally, I am certain that Björk is absolutely right - putting so many eggs in one basket has been the downfall of many! Please don't hold it against us that Britain has behaved the way it has: many disagree with Brown!

Lionel G Holmes, Moretonhampstead, UK

Well said Bjork. Your comment about having all your eggs in one basket is correct.
Iceland has suffered due to very poor regulation of their banks.

Nick Broad, Norwich,

Financial meltdown. Solution? Reward the culprits! This could be Britain! If it wasn't for the firm line of Gordon Brown (whom I once couldn't stand) the British banks and their shareholders would have got the rescue package as a free gift!

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

I for one appologise to the Icelandic people for the way our useless goverment used terrorisum laws against Iceland, in March I looked at Icesave but did not invest there due to the £16K compensation limit. Those who lost out should get £16K & wait for Iceland to recover then pay out what they can.

Contax, Brigg, UK

Good one, Bjork!! Keep speaking out!!

RolyJ, Newcastle, UK

The greatest resource Iceland has is its natural beauty. It is a stunning place to visit and I will certainly go back to see more. It would be a crime to let its beauty be destroyed for ever for the sake of possible short term economic gains from smelting.

Barry W, london, United Kingdom

Im not really a "green" person but 5 smelters in a small country like Iceland seems crazy. By chance I watched a documentary last week on building one of these huge dams in Iceland. It was a mammoth 5 year project. It never once mentioned the power was for smelting???

kevin Slater, fort lauderdale, USA