The Land of Fish, Ice, and Steam

Explanation: During this flyover of West Iceland, I spotted the remote town of Akranes fringing the edge of the Skagi headland.

Akranes was settled in 880 by Irish brothers, and now is a key commercial fishing site, as well as hosting tourists and visitors to its sandy beachfront of Langisandur.

But more than fish and tourism invites its inhabitants. Iceland is also the land of geysers and geothermal power. More than a quarter of Iceland's energy is derived from geothermal sources, which heats 87% of homes in the country (source).

Iceland could provide the template for other countries struggling with development of renewable energy sources ... but for its recent financial crisis and bank collapse. However, the country's economy apparently is recovering. As part of the recovery process, the government is restructuring its fishing industry to become more sustainable and efficient.

So, in this remote and wonderful part of our amazing world, fish, ice, and steam meet ... and their sustainable convergence provides the way forward to better economic times.

And the geothermal energy sources will be there awaiting a new day for energy independence.

Information: Compare this Google Earth image to the above photo.

EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week