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Forests activist, Raoni, is greeted by a stevedore on board the logging ship, Harbour Gemini.
Enlarge imageRaoni, New Zealand
Raoni is an activist from Christchurch, New Zealand. In September, 2008, he and three other activists spent three days on the crane of a logging cargo ship in Papua New Guinea, to highlight the impacts of deforestation on climate change.
He talks about that action:
"Three days of sunsets and sunrises, driving rain and sauna-like sun perched precariously 40 metres up on top of the SV Harbour Gemini’s main log loading crane was an inspirational experience.
"Up high on the crane we had an amazing overview of the nearby rainforest and it’s abundant life, from the largest harpy eagles and flocks of colourful birds to evening visits from hundreds of masquerading moths.
"It felt like a privilege to be invited by the local resource owners to raise awareness of the situation on the ground, their rainforest being destroyed. Every day, long canoes filled with villagers paddled around, shouted up and sang encouragement.
"The other three crew of my climb team - all Papua New Guineans - were revelling in their role as crane occupiers. Armed with flutes, songs and laughter we made sure there was never a dull moment between the seriousness of media interviews over the satellite phone.
"It felt like an honour to be a messenger of this dire situation of these local clans' livelihood to the world."
Meet some local activists saving the Paradise Forests
Watch video of the action:
