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The 'next Kyoto' – unprecedented forest destruction or protection?

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At the end of next year, world leaders will meet to decide the framework of the next international climate agreement, and with it, the future of our planet.

But there’s a real risk the ‘next Kyoto’ could actually drive the unprecedented destruction of the world’s carbon-storing forests. And the timeline we have to stop this from happening is alarmingly short. read more»

WildEndurance - a great weekend!

	See more at Special Site »

WildEndurance is over! A fantastic weekend - won by Victoria's Restaurant in a stunning time of 16h 3m.

The conditions: excellent but cold at night. Some 35 teams gathered with their support crew at the start on Saturday morning. The excitement was palpable. Organiser Sean Greenhill gave the advice - "be kind to your crew" - and blew the horn and they were off. (see race start on YouTube)

Teams had four checkpoints to make where they could rest and fuel up. The checkpoints were going, like many of the particpants, 24 hours a day and were run by a wonderful crew of volunteers who served up warmth and food.

On Saturday night, after midnight, at the finish, team Victoria's Restaurant, looking mostly fresh, trotted professionally over the finish line. (See the winners run home on YouTube)

Read more at the special event site - updates, time chart, videos, lots of photos and more. Go to Special Site »

ANZ shareholders encouraged to band together

Community protesters inform ANZ customers and the public of ANZ's potential role in funding Gunns' pulp mill, Sydney. - The Wilderness Society Collection Click here for larger image

The Wilderness Society is encouraging shareholders of Gunns Ltd’s banker, ANZ Bank, to get in touch and form a syndicate of concerned shareholders who have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) should ANZ fund Gunns’ pulp mill in Tasmania.

Australia’s Corporations Act 2001 has provisions aimed at ensuring that the will of shareholders is reflected in the running of their company. EGMs give shareholders the opportunity to express their will and to obtain critical information. To force an EGM, the commitment of 100 shareholders is needed.

If you own shares in ANZ, you have a critical role to play in deciding on the future of our forests, climate and economy.

Click here to download the open letter to ANZ shareholders.

Mining suspended in victory for Arkaroola

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary

In a major victory for the campaign to protect the internationally significant Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in South Australia from mining, SA Premier Mike Rann announced on Tuesday 12 February that the Government is suspending drilling operations at Mount Gee indefinitely.

Mt Gee, in the heart of the Sanctuary, has been undergoing drilling operations by Marathon Resources, which has been under scrutiny by The Wilderness Society for its drilling operations in the area for the past six months.

The Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, in the Northern Flinders Ranges, is one of the most significant conservation areas in South Australia, particularly in terms of its geological heritage.

It is an Environmental Class A Zone, which means that activity such as mining must be of paramount significance and in the national interest to proceed. It is also an award-winning tourist attraction.

The announcement creates an opportunity to permanently protect areas of high conservation value in the area.

The Wilderness Society is calling on the SA Government to ban all mining activity in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

Make the banks accountable

	Community members unveil a banner protesting ANZ's potential involvement with Gunns' proposed pulp mill outside ANZ Stadium, Sydney - The Wilderness Society Collection

Since 1995, ANZ bank has provided crucial financial services to Gunns Ltd, Australia’s largest native forest woodchipping company. In February 2007, the ANZ extended a $1.5 billion line of credit to Gunns.

At a time when banks are promoting their environmental and social responsibility policies, being involved with a project like Gunns' Tamar Valley pulp mill could seriously undermine ANZ's credibility and damage its brand.

Ask Premier John Brumby to protect our forests and our future

Victoria's forests are some of the most carbon dense on the planet. Please write a letter to Premier Brumby, urging him to protect our forests and our future.    more »

Soverign risk deal confirms that high conservation value forests targeted for pulp mill

The sovereign risk agreement announced by Tasmanian Treasurer Michael Aird represents a confirmation that forests of high conservation value, forests that should be protected, will be fed into the Tasmanian pulp mill.    more »

Melbourne rally to stop Tasmanian pulp mill destroying native forests and increasing greenhouse emissions

If the Tasmanian pulp mill goes ahead it will destroy an area of native forest equivalent to 100,000 MCGs and increase Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. The day after a sovereign risk deal to protect wood supply was released, reportedly requested by potential financier ANZ; The Wilderness Society launched a campaign to urge the ANZ not to fund the pulp mill.    more »

ANZ International Day of Awareness – Wed 12 December

The ANZ bank is currently deciding whether or not to finance Gunns’ proposed pulp mill. It will be making its decision in the next few weeks.

Right now we need to continue to raise awareness with ANZ customers and the public. They need to know that the bank has a critical role in deciding the future of our precious environment and the health and livelihoods of people in Tasmania.

Take part in the International Day of Awareness on Wednesday 12 December in Australia and New Zealand.

Pulp mill public meeting this Sunday at Bondi Beach

The Wilderness Society is holding a public meeting this Sunday at 12 noon at Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach. Come along to find out how you can help protect Tasmania's families and future from Gunns' pulp mill.    more »

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