Australia: 15 arrested protesting Federal Gov’s White Paper on climate change / Gunns continued decimation

Fifteen activists from the Still Wild, Still Threatened action group
launched the protest to express their anger over the Federal
Government’s “pitiful” targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The group stormed the Gunns woodchip mill at Triabunna, on Tasmania’s
east coast, about 4.45am (AEDT) today, their spokeswoman Ula Majewski
said. Ms Majewski said seven of the activists chained themselves to
equipment at the mill, halting production. Up to 20 police called to
site are working to remove the protesters, she said. By midday, three
or four of the protesters had been removed and charged with trespass,
she said. Others were expected to face similar charges. “We are
protesting the Federal Government’s White Paper on climate change and
Gunns Ltd’s continued decimation of Tasmania’s extremely carbon-dense
forests,” she said. “We think that the Australian Government’s
targets are absolutely pitiful and the Rudd and Bartlett Governments
need to take real action on climate change. “One very good way they
can do this is immediately legislate to protect all of Tasmania’s
old-growth and high-conservation-value forests.” Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd yesterday said his Government will seek to reduce the nation’s
carbon emissions by five per cent of 2000 levels by 2020. The target
would rise to 15 per cent if a global pact on climate change,
including major emitters, is signed.The targets are well below what
scientists say nations must achieve to avert catastrophic climate
change. A Gunns spokesman said the company planted about 15 million
tree seedlings a year, more than any other company in Australia. The
Still Wild, Still Threatened group has taken photographs and footage
today’s Triabunna action.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24808105-26103,00.html

Posted via email from Deane’s posterous