by PurePapua
Threat to Raja Ampat, the amazon of the oceans?
An article in the weekend edition of the Sydney Morning Herald 2-3 July by investigative journalist Tom Allard exposes the threat to a Coral sea paradise. Do you know about Raja Ampat, the amazon of the oceans? It is a place of unparalleled beauty in West Papua.
Perhaps you have seen this: The Beauty of Raja Ampat– Sidney Morning Herald slide show
But it is also threatened.
These two articles show how Clive Palmer one of Australia’s richest men is tearing the place apart: “Coral Sea Paradise Faces Ruin From Mining†& “Chipping away at paradiseâ€
A researcher on West Papuan issues has recommended the following actions for people to respond. Please, if you love beauty do these four simple things now. Do it for the folks who live in Raja Ampat, West Papua and the fragile and the amazing ecosystem that is there:
1. Contact your local member (for those in Australia) and send them an email. Say something like Clive Palmer would not be allowed to mine the Great Barrier Reef. Why should he get away with it next door in West Papua? Tell your member about the issue and ask what they are going to do about it. Ask them to get back to you as well. To find your local member visit– http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/.
2. Send an email to Queensland Nickel click here and tell them what you think of their business practices.
3. Contact Hubert Gijzen [ h.gijzen@unesco.org ] from UNESCO in Jakarta to ask why Raja Ampat is not a World Heritage Area and what UNESCO is doing about it?
4. Forward this and the links to the articles and pix to people who you know love places of beauty.
