Moss “graffiti” in Iceland fixed

Many names and phrases are written on moss-covered hills in …

Many names and phrases are written on moss-covered hills in Iceland. Photo: Gunnar Birgisson

Energy company Orka Náttúrunnar has sent people to fix “graffiti” on a moss-covered hill by Nesjavallaleið in South Iceland. The hill made headlines two weeks ago when the phrase “Send nudes” was written in the moss by tearing it up. The company plans to release a video to guide others in fixing vandalism of this kind.

Herd mentality

People vandalizing delicate moss-covered hills by “writing” in the moss, by pulling it, up is seems to be on the rise in Iceland. Moss takes a long time to grow and vandalism like this can easily take decades to mend on its own.

Vandalism of this kind used to be quite frequent in Iceland. But after much discussion in society decades ago about respect for nature, it decreased, though the evidence is still obvious in moss around Iceland, decades later.

It seems to be gaining popularity again. A local tour guide worries about herd mentality. That people will see vandalism by others and copy it.

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