Zero Emission Network

People on the frontline of climate change - Carteret Islanders
speaking tour

A partnership between Tulele Peisa Incorporated ("Sailing the waves"), Friends of the Earth Australia and Oxfam Australia

10-20 September 2007

Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne.

The Carteret Islanders are amongst the world's first 'environmental refugees'. An entire cultural group is facing relocation due to the impacts of climate change. The islanders have fought for more than twenty years against the rising ocean, building sea walls and planting mangroves. However, storm surges and high tides continue to wash away
homes, destroy vegetable gardens, and contaminate fresh water supplies.

On November 24, 2005, the Papua New Guinean government authorised the evacuation of the islands, 10 families at a time, to Bougainville. The evacuation started in early 2007 and this could continue up until 2020, depending on how inhabited the islands remain. However, it has also been estimated that by 2015, the Carteret Islands could be largely submerged
and entirely uninhabitable.

The tour will feature Ms Ursula Rakova from the NGO Tulele Peisa and Mr Bernard Tunim from Piul Island in the Carterets who will talk about their own personal experiences of climate change.

Brisbane

public forum: wednesday September 12

6:30 for 7pm start
Francis Rush Centre
St Stephens Cathedral, 249 Elizabeth St,Brisbane

Presented by: Friends of the Earth, the Sisters of Mercy and Oxfam Australia.

Contact Emma Brindal, Emma.brindal@foe.org.au 0411 084 727

Sydney

local partners: Aid/watch, Mineral Policy Institute, Greens senator Kerry Nettle

public forum: friday September 14 – 6pm - 7.30pm

Brown Street Community Hall
8-10 Brown Street (behind Newtown library)
Newtown
Contact: Flint Duxfield, Aid/Watch: 02 9557 8944, 0448 646 559

aidwatch@aidwatch.org.au

Newcastle

public forum: saturday September 15, 1pm

Newcastle room, Newcastle Town Hall, 29 Station St

local host: Rising Tide

Further information - steve@risingtide.org.au

Canberra

public forum: monday September 17, 6.30- 8 pm

Johnson Auditorium, Pilgrim House Conference Centre, 69 Northbourne
Avenue, Civic

Hosted by Australian Ethical: http://www.austethical.com.au/

contact: Cam Walker cam.walker@foe.org.au

Melbourne

public forum: wednesday September 19, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Fitzroy Town Hall, Napier street, Fitzroy

for further details, contact: Cam Walker cam.walker@foe.org.au

Full details on the tour can be found at: FOE Website