On June 16th 1986, Bellona was formed as a non-profit foundation. Formally, we are named the Environmental Foundation Bellona, but usually Bellona is sufficient. At the end of the 1980s we became well known first and foremost through spectacular actions against Norwegian industrial companies with more or less significant cases of environmental contamination on their conscience. Since then, we have taken on a more international focus, particularly through our work on nuclear contamination in Russia, and we have put a stronger focus on analyses and on the obtaining of facts.



Presently, as we are entering the new millennium, Bellona discusses environmental issues with both business leaders and ministers equally. In this way we more often achieve breakthroughs without having to go to direct action. This, however, does not mean that we have sent the old chains to recycling!



Some of the most important aspects of Bellona today:

* The threat constituted by Russian nuclear waste deposits and discarded nuclear reactors is enormous. Bellona put the nuclear threat on the international agenda, and now we work with determination to get rid of it.

* The temperature rises; the greenhouse effect increases as politicians discuss CO2-quotas and tax policy. Bellona takes the questions concerning energy seriously - among other things, by launching the sensational report "Green heat and power" in 1999.

* Limited access to information is the greatest enemy to both the democracy and the environment. As early as in 1995 Bellona put out "theNorthern Fleet Report", on the Internet in English, Norwegian and Russian. Since January 1st 2000, the Bellona Web is without doubt Bellona`s most important channel of information.