Full feed“Please save our home”
Aerial view between land clearing and Acacia plantations owned by the two giant pulp and paper producers, Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd. (APRIL) and Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) at Pelalawan, Riau province, Indonesia
©Ardiles/Greenpeace
From Bustar -- Campaigner at the Climate Defenders Camp
“Our homes are from the forest, our transports are from the forest, our lives are from the forest... Please help us to save our home” Then Mr. Yusup wasn't able to continue his words - as he fell into tears facing US Ambassador for Indonesia and First Secretary of UK Ambassador for Indonesia on their visit to the Kampar Peninsula - invited by Greenpeace. They came to witness in person the latest condition of the Kampar Peninsula as well as to humbly encounter the Teluk Meranti communities and listening directly to their hopes and devastation.
This visit took place before the opening of Climate Defenders Camp. I had the privilege to guide the guests and became the interpreter for them and the communities - who were very enthusiastic regarding this visit.
The excursion for our guests started from Pekanbaru Airport in Riau and continued with a helicopter flight. As soon as we left the airport - there was a clear effort to disrupt our journey by people who were opposed to our work here. They used weather conditions as an excuse and the deforestation company attempted to meet the ambassador but was openly denied.
The helicopter flight to Teluk Meranti took less than one hour and on that journey the ambassador had the chance to witness the current forest destruction - and how it literally impacts climate change and the magnificent beauty of what’s left in Kampar Peninsula.
The helicopter who took the US Ambassador landed in a football field in the midst of Teluk Meranti, pleasantly welcomed by us and the communities who have eagerly awaited their visit. From the football field, the ambassador was taken by motorcycle by one of the locals to the meeting point. As soon as he got off the bike -- the forest communities were not able hold back the messages that came from their hearts. They asked for urgent international support to help save the Kampar Peninsula forest which is important for their local economy.
The ambassador also had the opportunity to observe our Climate Defenders Camp which was almost finished at the time and discovered the drastic situation in Kampar forest. He greeted local communities while they were collecting forest wood for their houses and other village necessities.
“Indonesia is a sovereign country and therefore it is the Indonesian government's responsibility to save the forests and communities. We intend to help in accordance with our capacity however this society lies at the frontline and the choice to save the forest is in their hands” said the ambassador’s prior to leaving the Teluk Meranti village.
The US is the biggest carbon emitter in the world. They are responsible for cutting their greenhouse gas emission in order to save our climate. The destruction happening in Indonesia is strongly related with the demand from consumer countries - one of which is US. Thus developed countries such as the US also take a huge part of responsibility in saving Indonesian forests.
This month, President Obama will visit Southeast Asia and hopefully this message of change can be directly delivered to the President through the ambassador - and ensure that President Obama is one of the leaders to push the change in saving the forests, climate and world society – including those in Teluk Meranti.
------Bustar--------
>>Read more about the Climate Defenders Camp
>>Join the call for an ambitious deal in Copenhagen including a forest fund
