From Cam Walker [FOE]
We are now getting very close to our national speaking tour. Details on events in each city are attached below. It would be fantastic if you could send this through your networks (and apologies for any double posts!)
Many thanks
Cam
People on the frontline of climate change - Carteret Islanders speaking tour
A partnership between Tulele Peisa Incorporated ("Sailing the waves"),
Friends of the Earth Australia and Oxfam Australia
Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne.
The Carteret Islanders are amongst the world's first 'environmental refugees'. An entire cultural group is facing relocation due to the impacts of climate change. The islanders have fought for more than twenty years against the rising ocean, building sea walls and planting mangroves. However, storm surges and high tides continue to wash away homes, destroy vegetable gardens, and contaminate fresh water supplies.
On November 24, 2005, the Papua New Guinean government authorised the evacuation of the islands, 10 families at a time, to Bougainville. The evacuation started in early 2007 and this could continue up until 2020, depending on how inhabited the islands remain. However, it has also been estimated that by 2015, the Carteret Islands could be largely submerged and entirely uninhabitable.
The tour will feature Ms Ursula Rakova from the NGO Tulele Peisa and Mr Bernard Tunim from Piul Island in the Carterets who will talk about their own personal experiences of climate change.
locations of public forums
*Brisbane*
Public Forum: wednesday September 12
6:30 for 7pm start
Francis Rush Centre
St Stephens Cathedral, 249 Elizabeth St,Brisbane
Presented by: Friends of the Earth, the Sisters of Mercy and Oxfam
Australia.
Contact Emma Brindal, Emma.brindal@foe.org.au 0411 084 727
*Sydney*
presented by: Aid/watch, Mineral Policy Institute
public forum: friday September 14 – 6pm - 7.30pm
Brown Street Community Hall
8-10 Brown Street (behind Newtown library)
Newtown
Contact: Flint Duxfield, Aid/Watch: 02 9557 8944, 0448 646 559
aidwatch@aidwatch.org.au
*Newcastle*
public forum: saturday September 15, 1pm
Newcastle room, Newcastle Town Hall, 29 Station St
presented by: Rising Tide
Further information - steve@risingtide.org.au
*Canberra*
public forum: monday September 17, 6.30- 8 pm
Johnson Auditorium, Pilgrim House Conference Centre, 69 Northbourne
Avenue, Civic
Hosted by Australian Ethical: http://www.austethical.com.au/
contact: Cam Walker cam.walker@foe.org.au
*Melbourne*
public forum: wednesday September 19, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Fitzroy Town Hall, Napier street, Fitzroy
for further details, contact: Cam Walker cam.walker@foe.org.au
Full details on the tour can be found at: http://www.foe.org.au/
