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The Open Day is a unique opportunity to tour the iconic Greenpeace ship (best known for its expeditions to the Southern Ocean to confront Japan's whaling fleet) and engage with our Pacific Island neighbours who are on the frontline of climate change.
People can also meet Greenpeace activists who were involved in protests at the Abbot Point and Hay Point coal terminals over the past three days. The Esperanza joined the blockade yesterday, where Greenpeace was demanding that Kevin Rudd stop expanding Australia’s coal industry and risking the future of Pacific Islands.
The Esperanza has just completed a two-month tour of the Pacific Islands, where her crew have been documenting the impacts of climate change in the region. The tour concluded in Cairns to coincide with the Pacific Islands Forum meeting this week.
Onboard tours of the Esperanza will be run from 10am-4pm on the day. People can either register online at www.greenpeace.org.au/boardingpass, or by phone on 1800 815 151 (Monday-Friday only).
From 12pm - 2pm on Sunday, there will be members of the Polynesian Dance Theatre Company running Pasifika workshops for children and adults, such as basket weaving and haka dance.
Cairns is the final stop for MY Esperanza and her crew, who have visited the Cook Islands, Samoa and Vanuatu to meet with local communities and Pacific activists about the need for strong and united action on climate change.
During the Pacific Ship Tour, the crew also met with political leaders who were present at this week’s Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns, and who will attend the Copenhagen Climate Meeting in December this year.
Open Boat Details
When: Sunday 9 August 2009
Time: 10am to 4pm - Tours and activities running regularly
Where: Wharf 1, Trinity Wharf, Wharf Street, Cairns
Cost: Free
Register: 1800 815 151 or www.greenpeace.org.au/boardingpass
Media enquiries:
Zoe Porter tel (02) 9263 0370 / 0409 048 260
