Today one hundred activists in the important German harbour of Nordenham protested the import of timber from ancient forests.
Greenpeace activists in Nordenham paint 'Save Ancient Forests Now' on logs stored at the port.
Activists climbed the unloading cranes of the harbour and
unfurled flags that read, "G8 Save the Ancient Forests Now." At the
same time, more than 80 activists painted the same message on the
logs stored at the facility.
The protests continue Greenpeace efforts to put the spotlight on
the plight of ancient forests, during the G8 meeting in Kananaskis,
Canada. G8 governments continue to allow illegal timber and timber
products into their countries.
Christoph Thies of Greenpeace said, "In 1998, the G8 committed
to fight illegal logging and protect forests. But four years on,
the G8's Action Programme on Forests has been quietly buried, while
it's business as usual in the world's last ancient forests."
"Illegal logging is as high as 80 percent in some forest
nations, deforestation rates are higher than ever - and industrial
logging remains the single most important factor in driving that
destruction," Thies said.
Greenpeace is calling on the heads of G8 Governments,
representing some of
the most powerful players on the planet, not to let their Action
Programme on Forests die, but to use their influence at both the G8
Summit next week, and the Earth Summit itself, to halt ancient
forest destruction, hold accountable the corporations responsible,
and implement sustainable solutions.
More information about the G8