Greens take rainforest campaign to PNG and Dunedin

Green Media Release   7-11-07

Green Co-Leader Russel Norman and Green MP Metiria Turei are today campaigning in Papua New Guinea and Dunedin to save the last of the tropical rainforests of PNG. Metiria is in Port Moresby drawing attention to the proposal to destroy most of the remaining rainforest on Woodlark Island, PNG, and to convert it to palm oil plantation. Russel is in Dunedin at a colourful protest outside ANZ banking group calling on them to stop financing the destruction of rainforests in PNG.

“We are fighting the battle to save the last of the great tropical rainforests of the world. In Papua New Guinea illegal logging is destroying the rainforest and converting it into kwila furniture and palm oil plantation,” says Dr.

“Landowners are trying to stop the logging companies felling their forest but are fighting a losing battle and they need our help.

“ANZ are providing financial services to Rimbunan Hijau, a Malaysian based logging company that is deeply involved in the destruction of the rainforests of PNG. The World Bank has stopped its involvement in logging projects in PNG because of the high level of illegal logging, but ANZ remains involved with Rimbunan.

“In a separate development, Woodlark Island faces destruction of its rainforest. The island is home to a vast array of endangered plants and animals including the Woodlark Cuscus, a marsupial adapted to life in the forest that lives on Woodlark Island and faces an uncertain future if the rainforest is cleared from most of the island’s 85,000 hectares. Palm oil plantations are replacing tropical rainforest across Asia and the Pacific.

“Tropical rainforest destruction is the single biggest contributor to greenhouse emissions and is at the frontline of attempts to stop human induced climate change. If we don’t take action now to stop the destruction of PNG’s rainforests then it won’t just be the cuscus that faces an uncertain future, it will be humanity itself.”

The Dunedin protest with orang-utan suits, chainsaws and street theatre will be at midday at George St ANZ in Dunedin.

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