Moving Planet Pacific

Contact Information:

Ewan Cameron, ewan@350.org
Aaron Packard, aaron@350.org

Press Releases: 

Click here for a complete press release with information on different actions throughout the Pacific.

"Moving Planet" Unites 18 Pacific Countries in Climate Fight

PACIFIC -- A planned day of action will bring together 18 Pacific Island countries in one unifying voice as part of a global grass roots movement to call on world leaders for a move away from harmful fossil fuels.

On Saturday, September 24, more than 165 countries are expected to take part in a global event called “Moving Planet” dedicated to the goal of solving the climate crisis by ending the world’s dependence on fossil-fuel energy.

The goal is to get moving beyond fossil fuels—both symbolically by pouring into the streets in the thousands on foot, bicycle and other means of sustainable movement, and politically by bringing powerful demands to our leaders that day to move beyond fossil fuels to a 350ppm world.

Mobilising for individual and community solutions will continue to be important—but one of the main goals for Moving Planet is to demand government action, especially in places where governments are stalling on climate action despite the overwhelming urgency of the science.

Moving Planet Pacific Coordinator, Ewan Cameron said; “The build-up of carbon pollution from fossil fuels is the key driver for climate change which is already threatening the integrity of ecosystems around the world.”

“While we in the Pacific contribute very little to this global phenomenon, we are the ones most at risk – so it is really important that people come and join an action on September 24th. We need to show the world and its leaders that the Pacific will not take the issue of climate change sitting down.”

“Climate change poses a very serious problem for Pacific Island economies, environment and livelihoods. We are already experiencing serious impacts of climate change like more frequent droughts and cyclones, higher king tides and subsequent losses in agriculture, infrastructure damage, increased incidences of diseases and greater coastal erosion.”

“These are massive threats to our way of life, but I have hope that we can do something about it because this 350.org movement is building really fast across the Pacific and the world. It’s together that we can make the changes we need.”

Below are just some highlights of what some Pacific island countries have planned for Moving Planet. Check back before October 24th for all currently listed events for the Pacific and the rest of the world at http://www.moving-planet.org/

Tonga will be doing a dawn opening ceremony for Moving Planet globally - as they are one hour ahead of even NZ! As the sun rises, a village priest will be making prayers and blessing the global day of action, followed by singing by the village choir. The opening ceremony will be held at the village of Popua which is the most vulnerable village to sea level rise in Tonga.

In Papua New Guinea the Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights (CELCOR) and Caritas are bringing together Telikom Cycle Club a corporate telecommunications company to lead the September 24th cycle in Port Morsby and collaborating with the Bank of the South Pacific in their Go Green Clean campaign. On the day school and varsity students share their voices on climate change solutions in order to Move the Planet.
As they prepare for September 24th, organisers have been running school outreach programs in both the rural and urban community areas in PNG.

Funafuti, Tuvalu - Disaster drill ALERT, Move World Move!!Tuvaluis one of many small islands subjected to the current impacts of climate change such as sea level rise, and the frequent occurrences of natural disasters. On the day of Moving Planet, Tuvalu will perform a series of disaster drills, and evacuation exercises to be prepared in times of risk - such as ocean swimming classes and lessons on how to understand weather maps. Tuvalu has just gone through 3 months of drought, and it is our hope that we send a clear message to the world about how menacing climate change is to us and the whole of the Pacific.
Contact: naca@350.org Ph: (+688)20242

Cook Islands– Will have a clean-up day that will involve Government officials, Government departments, NGO’s and various youth groups. A 32 km bike ride challenge is also planned for the day to promote bike riding as a carbon neutral activity.

Federated States of Micronesia – Following a youth march on the day, the organisers have planned a traditional sakau ceremony without lights.

The group of over 100 recruited will walk from the Pohnpei Utilities Corporation to a venue about 5 miles from town and they will be having a sakau ceremony all night without lights. Candles and fire torches will be used at the venue. All who are coming to the sakau ceremony will have to come on foot, bikes or taxi. The sakau will also serve as a job well done to all who volunteered.  The team also asked for Willy Kostka’s assistance in being the keynote for the event. He will be addressing the impacts of climate change in the region and what the youth can do to help. Willy Kostka was one of the founders of the region’s leading environmental organizations known as the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP).

Fiji - Will have a range of activities around Viti Levu. One goal is to plant 1,000 trees just for Moving Planet, and March, cycle, and paddle from Suva city to Laucala Rd. Another activity will be in Naduri as listed below.

Build-up to 24th September

o   organised a climate information day for students at the Naduri District School, Naduri Youths, Nasoso Circuit School students and the general public within Naduri Village and other nearby village and settlements.

24th September

o   To conduct a day of planting native climate resistant species of trees along the shoreline of Macuata-i-wai Island to provide the bio-shield needed to safeguard the island from the devastating impacts of sea-level rise.

o   Have invited the local cycling club to adopt the Moving Planet theme as they have their scheduled bike rides

o   The Fiji Outrigger have also come on board to have an open day at the foreshore to teach interested individuals about paddling while at the same time adopting the Moving Planet principle

Post 24th September Activity

To organise a Poster and Writing competition among students of Naduri District School and Youths of Naduri Village to assess their understanding on the Climate Information Day that was conducted.

Marshall Islands - People of all ages will rally together in a march to parade posters and banners with various messages.Following the parade will be a clean up and tree planting.

New Caledonia - In an effort to recognise and appreciate our natural resources we will be distributing 350 palm trees for individuals to plant.

Kiribati – On the day activities will include the planting of the Tree of Life (coconut trees) and then a cycle-thon wearing 350 T-shirts, to the House of Parliament where we will have refreshments and speeches and cultural dancing.  The dancing team going to the USA will be performing at this time. We are aiming to have at least 1000 people to join the cycle-thon.

Papua New Guinea – Awareness programmes in schools have begun as a part of the lead up to the 24th. Community based workshops on climate change have also been undertaken. As part of on the day activities, the Telikom Cycle Club which is a corporate telecommunications cycle club have also volunteered to be a part of the movement.

Tonga – As the first country in the world to welcome the 24 of September, Tonga will be conducting the opening ceremony for everyone else in the world. The programme is such that as the sun rises, a village priest will be making prayers accompanied by singing from the village choir. The ceremony will be held in the village of Popua, which is the most vulnerable village to sea level rise in Tonga.    

Solomon Islands - The 350 climate change awareness visits to schools have already started. This is part of a two week long awareness programme in S.I which will be concluded by a youth climate forum on Sept 23rd, leading onto the 24th.

Notes to editors

Moving Planet will take place on Saturday, 24 September, 2011

Interviews:

Moving Planet Tonga representative, Polikalepo Kefu

E: poli_kefu@yahoo.com.au

Ph: +676 25277

Moving Planet Pacific Communications Coordinator, Jone Tuiipelehaki

E: pacificmedia@350.org

Moving Planet Pacific Coordinator, Ewan Cameron

E: ewan@350.org

350.org Oceania Coordinator, Aaron Cameron

E: aaron@350.org

P: (+64) 027 3519994

About Moving Planet

The idea for Moving Planet came from 350.org, a global campaign and network that work with grassroots organisers in 188 countries to mobilise against climate change and for a just future. Moving Planet is a collaborative effort of many organisations, movements, and individuals. Organisations and local movements are encouraged to take this day and idea and put forward what you’re able to make this day as powerful as possible around the world.  For a list of all endorsing organisations, and to sign up your organisation, 
 

About 350.org

350.org is building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis. Our online campaigns, grassroots organising, and mass public actions are led from the bottom up by thousands of volunteer organisers in over 188 countries. 350 means climate safety. To preserve our planet, scientists tell us we must reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere from its current level of 392 parts per million to below 350 ppm. But 350 is more than a number—it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet.

Photos

Organizers in Apia, Samoa prepare for Moving Planet:

More photos available on 350.org's Flickr Site.