Stop the airbase - save the dugongs of Okinawa
© Roberto Sozzani
So what does a dugong do? Not much, except wander coastal areas from the east coast of Africa to Australia, and beyond, grazing on the seagrass of coral reefs.
Dugongs living on the coast of Japan's Okinawa island are threatened by the proposed expansion of a U.S. military base there. Construction of the airbase would destroy local coral reefs, the habitat of the dugong, and thousands of other creatures, including three species of threatened turtle.
Time is short, but we can still stop the airbase - throughout September, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the airbase site is open for public comment. We're using this opportunity to let the Japanese government know what the people of the world think - by delivering a petition of thousands of names to the environment and defence ministries, and calling on the government to establish a marine reserve in the area.
This wouldn't be the first time that construction at Henoko, in north-eastern Okinawa, has been stopped. In 2005, after a sustained protest by local people, and following the arrival of the Rainbow Warrior, plans for an airbase was shelved. If the military machine can be stopped once - through the voice of thousands worldwide, and through peaceful protest in Okinawa, then it can be stopped again.
You know what to do:
Call on the Japanese government to save the dugong and stop the expansion of the military base in Okinawa »
Earlier:
01 March 2005: Save the dugong - stop the US airbase »
10 March 2005: Greenpeace joins local activists to occupy test drilling platforms in an area where a proposed American military base would be built across important dugong habitat. »
12 March 2005: Greenpeace calls for dugong rescue in Japan »
National Geographic: Rare Japanese Dugong Threatened by U.S. Military Base »
Comments
Action taken!
What amazing creatures they are. I hope lots of other people take part in the cyberaction.
Posted by: Page | September 7, 2007 11:33 AM
j want to help you in this cyberaction. j have seen dugongo in Southern Egypt: it's amazing!!!
Posted by: antonella santarelli | September 7, 2007 5:39 PM
What beautiful creatures
Message sent to Defence Minister Masahiko Koumura
Only 12 left, shame.
Posted by: Akhtar | September 7, 2007 7:06 PM
Please protect the dugongs of Okinawa.
Posted by: Andy Liu | September 8, 2007 3:20 AM
asahi.com: Okinawa does not need new U.S. military bases
"Okinawa is in the midst of political struggles on many fronts. The central issue is Tokyo's plan to construct a U.S. Marines base in the Henoko district of Nago city."
"On the surface, there appears to be a conflict between Tokyo and the Liberal Democratic Party-backed governor of Okinawa and the Nago mayor over the final location of the new base."
Posted by: Dave | September 12, 2007 4:59 PM
STOP THE U.S. AIRBASE!
SAVE THE DUGONGS!!!!
Posted by: Joanna Rodriquez | September 26, 2007 11:47 PM
I will never understand why anyone would want to rid our world of such graceful, beautiful creatures. The sea is their home and no one should ever be able to take that away from them. God made the many species of animals on land and in the sea and, only he should have the right to take them away. Leave these wonderful creatures alone and let them live like they should. I would be proud to stand in defense of these beautiful creatures. As for our military wanting an airbase there, they should consider all the pros and cons before they make any decision. I believe our Commander and Chief has done enough damage already.
Posted by: Sharon A. Greenup | October 19, 2007 11:59 PM