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The island of Okinawa has been called the
"Galapagos of the East" because of the precious bio-diversity it
supports, but it is also known as "the island of the base" because U.S.
military bases occupy over 18 percent of the landmass. Now, another
base is slated for construction, despite the irreparable damage it will
cause to a critical marine area.
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 The
proposed construction site is right in the heart of a coral reef, which
nurtures diverse marine life including sea turtles and dugongs -
relatives of the manatee. Habitat degradation and increasing scarcity
of their food have led to the dugong's recent classification as an
endangered species. Unfortunately, no active measures have been taken
to ensure their conservation. As few as 12 dugongs are left in the
Okinawa waters. If the plan proceeds, the dugongs of Japan may be lost
forever.
Take
Action! Protect this endangered species.
The United Nations Environment Program has released a
report calling for the creation of a marine reserve to protect the
dugong, but it seems the government of Japan would rather build a
runway complete with hangers, control towers and fuel storage on top of
this fragile ecosystem.
The local community has protested this project for the
last eight years and has been successful in preventing drilling thus
far. Recently, however, several scaffoldings were forcibly set up in
the sea to conduct a preliminary geological survey. For the past 300
days, the protestors have organized sit-ins and have occupied the
drilling towers, preventing any further construction from
occurring...for now.
We have joined these courageous protesters in their effort to save this
fragile ecosystem. Today, our ship, the Rainbow Warrior
arrives to support the community in its fight and to shed light on this
issue for all the world to see.
Please take a moment to send
a message to the Japanese government saying to the construction of the U.S.
military airbase and to the
protection of the Okinawa dugong.
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Help Greenpeace Take a Stand. Become a Member Today.
Visit our Action Center and take action today.
Forward this message to a friend. Help spread the word.
Send a message to the local people who are out on the water all day,
every day, to stop the destruction. For every message we receive, we
will tie one ribbon to the Rainbow Warrior, demonstrating the
solidarity of activists from around the world.
Send
a message now.
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