Redford writes: "The WCC will take place only a few minutes away from Gangjeong, where the construction of a naval base is threatening one of the planet's most spectacular soft coral forests and other coastal treasures."
Actor, filmmaker and environmental advocate Robert Redford. (photo: Contour/Getty Images)
No Base in Paradise
03 September 12
rom September 6-15, some 10,000 environmentalists will converge on Jeju Island to attend the World Conservation Congress (WCC), organized by the oldest environmental organization, the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN's slogan is that it promotes "a just world that values and conserves nature." If recent actions are any indication, nothing could be further from the truth.
The WCC will take place only a few minutes away from Gangjeong, where the construction of a naval base is threatening one of the planet's most spectacular soft coral forests and other coastal treasures, assaulting numerous endangered species and destroying a 400-year-old sustainable community of local farmers and fishers.
Unfortunately, the IUCN leadership has ignored or whitewashed the naval base.
Instead of condemning the South Korean government's actions, IUCN Director-General Julia Marton-Lefevre praised its seriously flawed "Environmental Impact Assessment" (EIA) for the base project, which ignored critically endangered species, missed crucial impacts upon 40 species of soft coral, including nine that are seriously endangered, and five that are already protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This naval base is being built just 0.13 miles from a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Tiger Island.
Take action now and sign this petition to the IUCN Director-General, Julia Marton-Lefevre, urging the IUCN to condemn the base construction.
While Gangjeong villagers trying to protect their treasured natural resources are subjected to daily police beatings and arrests, the IUCN has still failed to acknowledge the environmental or human-rights violations. One can't help but wonder if this is because the WCC convention is partly financed by the very corporations building the military base, notably Samsung. Learn more about how you can help support an independent EIA and the villagers' struggle at http://www.savejejunow.org.
Instead of inviting dialogue, the IUCN conference organizers have suppressed it. In an official letter from IUCN leadership - with no explanation - it blocked the villagers from even having a small information booth at the conference.
You can help give voice to the Gangjeong villagers who have been beaten and silenced by their own government, and now kept out by the world's largest environmental organization. Add your name to this letter to IUCN Director-General, Julia Marton-Lefevre, to be hand-delivered by Gangjeong village Mayor Kang Dong-kyun at the IUCN Congress.
For peace and protection of our planet,
Robert Redford
Actor, Director and Environmental Activist
P.S. Gangjeong village Mayor Kang Dong-kyun needs thousands with him when he delivers the petition to the IUCN Director General. Take one minute now and stand with him and the villagers fighting for the endangered species, coral reefs and their 400-year-old ecologically sustainable village!
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
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Comments
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Remember: "You've committed one of the classic blunders, another of which is: never get involved in a land war in Asia".
I stayed at the village just before main construction re-started last year and it was one of the most pristine natural environments with natural water springs bubbling up through ancient volcanic rock. That has all been dynamited away already, coral is being destroyed and generally the ecosystem ruined forever. People are so STUPID and GREEDY.
Is this another make-work project to spend UStaxpayer money where the return on investment goes to corporations and doesn't provide more security? Is the base being buult as a slap in the face to China, or to appease the Japanese?
I'll certainly follow the links in the article to learn more. Thanks!
We aren't there to protect, either, it is one more "lily pad" in global control. There is no excuse for this other than territorial control and theft of resources in other countries. The U.S. will do anything to keep China and Russia in their sights in one more threat to keep them out of some of the most oil and mineral rich countries on the planet, and that includes water.
Frankly, I think N. Korea is ready to flip... Give Un some big macs and he'll see the light!
I don't want to die and I don't want the planet to die either.
What can we do about this since talking and protesting and writing letters does not seem to have any effect?
Ans: Decrease needed oil imports with immediate cessation of RR branch line abandonment. Maintain fuel efficient rail links for local cargo warehousing and mail distribution, instead of "just-in-time" methodology requiring intensive truck relays.
It is 1985, and what can we do to prevent Amazon forest destruction?
Ans: Base resource development on railway lines, limiting access by private motor vehicles.
It is 2000; what can we do to prevent poaching of large African wild animals, particularly Rhinos & Elephants?
Ans: Favor rail line projects over rubber tire access. Rail line distribution also seen as slowing spread of AIDS by truckers.
It is 2010. What can we do to make new military facilities to protect oil flows unnecessary??
Ans{ Dampen oil consumption with rail based distribution economics.
It is 2012. It is too late to prevent Middle East meltdown with Israel/Iran/Syr ia/Egypt/Libya resulting in worldwide motor fuel emergency. American President signs Federal Executive Emergency Orders for motor fuel allocation. Railroads, swamped with cargo shifted from truck lanes, vainly attempt to keep victuals moving.
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over 25 years ago we approached environmental sages, Redford et al asking about silent treatment for railways????
I thank R.R. and RSN for this information, which I doubt you'll find anywhere else. I also intend to pass it along to media sources I am involved with, all "alternative" unfortunately!
The US military is the most destructive and corrosive force on the planet, not just because of it's bloated and over-funded size and ability to devour resources which may be crucial to the survival of other species we are meant to "share" this tiny, delicately balanced "Goldilocks zone" with but also with the ability to call for "Sacrifice zones" if they feel it necessary to rip what they need from the epidermis of our mother without having to even clean up after themselves.
Pass this along folks.
as long as the gene of greed
is more dominant than the gene
of compassion, I don´t think
talking, protesting and writing
letters will have much effect.
When collecting documentation in '10 to send to Attny. Gen. Holder, in support of a request for investigation into all the brutalization/t orture of peace and justice activists in the Colorado Springs are (no big suprise, no investigation whatsoever came - Google: Colorado Springs Independent, Jan. 10, 2010, "No Peace or Justice"), I was handed a copy of a speech given by an F.B.I. bigwhig at the Northern Command Center.
In the speech, the bigwhig gave the F.B.I.'s definition of 'terrorist', which now includes (hope you're sitting down, with a toilet nearby) environmental activists, along with animal rights activists. Of course, 'anarchists' (peace/justice activists) were included.
Lots of lots of courage and determination is desperately needed these days, from any and all of us who care for humanity and our earth. Get active we must. Lots and lots needed to
...UNDO THE COUP !
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