International 24hrs of action for Tasmania’s ancient forests

December 14th/15th 2010, saw the biggest show of support for Tasmania’s ancient forests in history. In just over 24 hours, there were banner actions and film screenings in Tanzania, Reunion Island, Japan, Vanuatu, Thailand, India, France, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, England, Wales, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, Ecuador and the United States of America.

And around Australia people participated in the 24 hours of action in Tasmania – Hobart, Devonport, Bicheno and Launceston, Victoria – Melbourne and Glenburn, ACT – Canberra, SA – Adelaide, QLD – Brisbane and Noosa, WA – Perth, Balingup, Denmark, and Fremantle, and in NSW – Sydney, Lismore, Bega, Newcastle, Dorrigo, Bellingen, Bundagen, Byron Bay, and Uki.

Flikr photos

Slideshow of actions around the world

Still Wild Still Threatened website

Huon Valley Environment Centre

Following a landmark agreement between the logging industry and major environmental NGOs, real protection for Tassie's High Conservation Forests (HCV) looks closer than ever. But today, across the island, priceless natural ecosystems, ancient old growth trees and habitat for endangered species are still being destroyed.

Both industry and environmentalists have agreed to support a moratorium on the logging of HCV forests, leading to their eventual protection. But, to date, nothing has changed. Its business as usual in the bush. This means that iconic forests in the Weld Valley, Styx, Tarkine, North East and Far South are still being clearfelled and sent to the woodchipper.

In October this year, major logging industry and environmental groups signed a set of principles that chart a new future for Tasmania's logging industry. The Agreement includes a committment to protect identified HCV forests and phase out native forest logging. A moratorium on logging in HCV forests, to be implemented over three months, was included in the Agreement. But, as the weeks pass, no forests have been removed from the logging schedule and new roads are being cut into prime areas of untouched forest. "Right now, the clock is ticking for Tasmania's ancient forests and the whole world is responding with the largest public show of international support for the protection of Tasmania's forests in history" said Still Wild Still Threatened spokesperson Ula Majewski.

"From the tropical reefs of Vanuatu to a remote Eskimo village in Alaska, the global community is planning to send a very clear message to key decision-makers that our world-class forests need to be protected immediately" Ms Majewski said.

"Tasmania's spectacular ancient forests, like those located in the Weld and Styx Valleys, are still being logged, roaded and woodchipped right now. The international and Australian communities are calling out for a full moratorium to be placed upon these world-class forests immediately, leading to formal legislated protection" said Huon Valley Environment Centre spokesperson Jenny Weber.