Save the Dugong!
Karli, our oceans campaigner just back from leading our Southern Ocean Whale Expedition, writes:
Two years ago, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior visited Henoko in Okinawa, Japan. The purpose of our visit was to support a local protest against the construction of a new airbase for the US military. The proposed airbase was to be constructed over a coral reef, the home of the last remaining dugong population in Japan.
This is the 21st century. It is mind-boggling that anyone still considers that it is OK to destroy a coral reef with the construction of anything, and to add insult, the proposed construction is an airbase for the military – in a community that is deeply concerned with peace. The habitat of Japan’s dugongs, as well as abundant reef and seagrass species, should be the site of a marine reserve – not a reserve for marines.
With the Rainbow Warrior, we helped to raise the issue to a new level with international media attention helping the cause of local protesters, who had occupied the drilling platforms day in, day out for over a year already. Shortly after, the original proposal was scrapped. But a new proposal, still impacting the marine area that the dugongs depend on, replaced it.
Now, the protest against the airbase construction has reached a crucial point. The Naha Defense Facilities Administration Agency is about to begin an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed airbase. We are demanding that this EIA is a sound and transparent assessment, and involves the local community.
The local protest groups are taking this opportunity to gather international support to stop the airbase and save the dugong. They have set up an online petition, giving you a chance to have your say on this issue.
© Roberto Sozzani
Please read and sign the petition, and help spread the word.Thanks in advance!
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Comments
japanese and us govts...the oppressors of this indigeonous peaceful people of okinawa, they formed this insidious plan to build a heliport since 1966. they used the relocation of futennma as a barganing tool used today to push okinawans
into a corner to forcefully build this new and unneccesary base. they brought in their army to
intimidate the peaceful protestors...
okinawans have a false sense of rights to their way of life, culture, & govt. they have no say, no one to help with their pleas for a rightful way of life. they went through all the hoops and jumps and did everything possible to fight for
their rights. to no avail...
the people who live in henoko can testify to that. they have no rights or say in this matter
which will have a severe effect on their lifestlye.
noise, toxic environment, pollution, the ocean that they know so well will be changed forever, the coastline will change, currents will be shifted, the rich ocean life will suffer, the 50 or so remaining dugong will be threatened to exticntion.
okinawans who suffered a great massacre of 1/3 of their population from wwII are being constantly reminded of this with the heavy us military presence in their face.... all they want is a peaceful life on their island.
the dugong a reflection of the people of okinawa
what was once magnificent is slowing disappearing.
we have to keep fighting for what is right and preserve what is peaceful and sacred alive!
Posted by: jamie | May 24, 2007 9:45 PM
we are man,we can create
without killing.listen to the
people.thank you
Posted by: john bennett | July 15, 2008 2:26 PM