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From: "Jo Makepeace" (webmaster@schnews.org.uk)
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:22:02 -0000
Subject: SchNEWS 610, Friday 9th November 2007

save the ancient forests of Tasmania

TASMANIAN DEVILRY

The ancient forests of Tasmania look set to be chewed up and spat out as cardboard and woodchip as Australian government push ahead with a pulp mill plan.

The pillage of Tasmania has been going on since the white man arrived, steadily stripping it. In an area around the size of Ireland, there is now only 13% of original forest remaining, and licences already issued are intent on making that figure 6%!

Despite an opposition campaign by outraged Tasmanians and environmentalists alike, democracy as ever prevailed. When one planning inspectorate looked like coming out in favour of the Tamar Valley ancient forest eco-system (home to many unique endangered species such as the the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, the spotted-tail quoll and the giant freshwater crayfish), the government merely sacked them and reappointed someone a little more, er industry-friendly. They've also changed any awkward conservation law that threatened to get in the way of their mates desire to turn trees into hard cash. They did belatedly agree to have an environmental assessment done, handily only after the plant is built and in operation (lock-on to a timber saw anyone?).

The tree-eating monster facility is due to gorge on six million tons of old growth forest a year, kicking out 10m tons of CO2 with 64,00 tons of sea-bound toxic effluent into the bargain. (Those CO2 emissions, by the way, are equivalent to the pollution created in 80 years by the entire population of Tasmania.) On the ground resistance is growing. Protests continue regularly - one recent one in mid-October saw upwards of 5000 people turn out in opposition, occupying roads and blocking every route into the area. Time will tell whether we see any radical splinter groups facing off with the barking mad pulp faction...

For more info see -
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/forests/tasmania/gunns_proposed_pulp_mill/tv_mill_disaster/

* There's a solidarity demo in London at the Australian High Commission, the Strand (Charing Cross / Embankment) on November 16th at 3.30pm - aiming to give a frank and strong aussie-style message to politicians (facing an election on Nov 24th). Save Tasmania's Forests!
tel - 07809 150344
email - save_tassies_forests@yahoo.co.uk


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