Over 70 actions across 15 countries in 24 hours for Tasmania’s forests.
An incredible show of world wide support saw over 70 actions across
15 countries in 24 hours calling for an end to the destruction of
Tasmania’s forests.
People gathered to hold banners in snow filled streets, images of the
forest were projected onto town buildings, handmade signs were held up
in backyards, some stood as silent statues dressed in green, while some
took the action to their local area of forest destruction in solidarity
and others asked passers-by to ‘have a heart for Tassie’s forests.’
In Hobart a massive 40 meter banner was held up outside Ta Ann’s head
office, in Tokyo a letter was delivered to SMKC (partner to Ta Ann) and
a pair of daring conservationists’ abseiled the Black Mountain Tower in
Canberra to unfurl the message on a giant banner.
This global effort builds on ongoing action of conservationist
Miranda Gibson, who has spent 63 days so far at the top of an old growth
tree in Tasmania’s threatened forest. Ms Gibson’s commitment to remain
in the tree until the forest is protected has inspired people right
across the globe. Miranda beamed the message of forest protection
straight from the trees to the world, using Skype to speak at the
actions and taking part in a press conference via video link up.
Despite being promised protection by the Tasmanian State and
Australian Federal governments back in August 2011 the forests continue
to fall. The government broke their promise of an “immediate
conservation agreement” across 430,000 hectares of high conservation
value forest across Tasmania. Instead the logging continues in order to
supply wood to Malaysian company Ta Ann.
“It is an international disgrace that the Australian government
promised the protection of these forests six months ago now. Yet due to
the Ta Ann’s insatiable appetite for native forests, logging has
actually increased in the areas that are ear-marked for forest reserves”
said Miranda Gibson.
“Today’s action sends a clear message to Ta Ann and their corporate
customers that the international community will not tolerate the
destruction of these globally significant forests. We are asking Ta
Ann’s customers including flooring manufacturers Panasonic and Eidai and
Japan’s largest home building companies Seksui House, Daiwa House to
cease purchasing from Ta Ann while the company is driving the logging of
Tasmania’s native forests” said Ms Gibson.
The veneer produced by Ta Ann from Tasmania’s forests is misleadingly
sold around the world as “eco” friendly. The company has told its
international customers that the wood is sourced from plantations. And
locally they claim to use only ‘regrowth’ forests. However, the
Huon Valley Environment Centre released a report last year that detailed
evidence of Ta Ann’s use of high conservation value and old growth
forest. In addition the government initiated independent assessment of
Forestry Tasmania’s data proved that Ta Ann is the major driver behind
the continued logging of high conservation value forests. The report
produced from the independent assessment showed that the majority of
coupes scheduled within the area ear-marked for protection are being
logged to supply Ta Ann.
“A long term vision that gives Tasmania a unique reserve system,
protection for endangered species habitat and taking real action to
mitigate climate change is what we are standing up for. With people
around the globe and around Australia, we are calling for the protection
for these treasure houses of species,” Huon Valley Environment Centre’s
Jenny Weber said.
With UK company International Plywood cancelling their contract a few
months ago after being given evidence of Ta Ann’s forest destruction,
the campaign is now gaining global support in calling on the Japanese
corporate customers of Ta Ann to do the same unless Ta Ann cease
destroying native forests. A letter will be sent to those companies
with that message and details of the global action. There is also a
cyber action up and running, for people to sign a letter to be emailed
to those companies, just go to:
Miranda Gibson continues her tree top vigil in the forests, with new
inspiration and enthusiasm from the past 24 hours of action. “It has
been inspiring to have such an overwhelming level of support and actions
right across the globe” said Ms Gibson. “I hope my ongoing presence in
the forests will continue to inspire people to take action and keep this
campaign going until we achieve the conservation outcomes that are so
desperately needed for these forests to survive into the future.”
Miranda’s tree sit, equipped with solar panels and internet, is
bringing the forests straight from southern Tasmania to you. Check out
her daily on line blog:
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