PNG’s Somare petitioned by activists


PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — Activists from all over the world have petitioned Papua New Guinea not to grant a license to Vitroplant to clear Woodlark Island’s rainforests for oil palm plantations, Post Courier reports.

A letter officially written to prime minister, Sir Michael Somare has been circulated from countries in Europe, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Asian countries and the Pacific including Papua New Guinea.

This letter has been copied to the PNG embassies, the department of agriculture and livestock, Investment Promotion Authority, Office of Information and Communication and Department of Treasury.

The letter reads: “I am writing to protest your Government’s granting of a license to Vitroplant to clear Woodlark Island’s rainforests for oil palm plantations.

“This will turn a biodiverse, carbon rich paradise into a big lifeless monoculture and environmental disaster. Please ensure this project’s approval is immediately withdrawn, as it is clearly at odds with your public international statements in support of rainforest and climate protection,”

“Your Government has been quite vocal over past years, including at recent Bali climate talks, regarding your willingness to protect PNG rainforests for climate benefits, in return for avoided deforestation payments. Yet, even as you seek to be paid to protect rainforests, ongoing large scale industrial logging and now oil palm expansion continues to severely diminish your nation’s rainforests and carbon storage capital.

“I turn your Government’s prescient words at Bali back upon you: “We seek your leadership. But if for some reason you are not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us. Please get out of the way.”

“Sir Michael, please lead on establishing strict rainforest protections in Papua New Guinea that are worthy of carbon payments, or if you are unable or unwilling, please step aside.

“At some point developing countries, including PNG, that are clearing their rainforests must take responsibility for their growing contribution to climate change. For years a rapacious export log industry has ravaged PNG rainforests, causing great harm to local environments and peoples, as well as dramatically contributing to global warming. This must end, otherwise your nation will have no carbon stores to be paid to maintain.

“I respectfully ask that your Government take action to implement your pledges, and stop its support for destruction and diminishment of primary rainforests and their carbon stores.”