All articles
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Why are we under attack?
The jig’s up, my friends! This week green groups were ‘exposed’ for collaborating to protect the environment by the fossil fuel lobby, right-wing commentators in the media, and the Turnbull government. Not really that surprising. However, their criticism inadvertently revealed a far scarier truth: That the lobbyists, right-wing media and government are collaborating to do…
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Pray for our Pacific: Finding strength in solidarity
Earlier this month, Pacific Island communities gathered together to summon the strength to confront the climate battles ahead. They were joined by communities from all over the world in a show of solidarity and support to collectively hold space for the Pacific. Faith is a central tenet of Pacific Island communities, and climate change is often…
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A Pacific Islander mother’s letter to her children about climate justice
My little darlings, on 28 July 2016 as you slept with the sound of the ocean keeping you both company, there was a big commotion on the other side of the ocean. The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines asked 47 fossil fuel companies, including BHP Billiton, Shell and BP, to respond to a 60-page legal petition alleging…
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Why Pacific Islanders will lead the fight against climate change
Most of us know the story of coal miners and their caged canaries. When my seven-year-old daughter heard it, she was sad that the canaries had to give up their lives to warn the miners to get out. She asked me if miners still use canaries today and I reassured her: ‘No, we have come…
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Panama Papers: the plot thickens
Back in April, the Panama Papers rocked the world, exposing just how the global elite use offshore trusts in tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands, Panama and the Bahamas to hide their wealth and dodgy deals. Thanks to an anonymous whistleblower who leaked a huge amount of data from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, we…
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The rise of Pacific power: From small island states to large ocean states
The Pacific region consists of 24 island states scattered across a quarter of the earth’s surface – a vast area of some 30 million square kilometres. By description alone, the vast area should command the respect and attention of the international community. The countries make up almost 10 percent of United Nations votes and are…
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Cyclone Winston devastates Fiji
Blog post from Cayla Tikaram – Greenpeace Australia Pacific Intern On Saturday night, the cyclone of all cyclones rocked our tiny island nation. As we clung together in cupboards, under tables and holding the people we loved close, I’m sure a collective prayer or two went up! Nothing prepares you for the wrath of Mother…
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Tropical Cyclone Winston was one of the most terrifying experiences I have ever been through
Tropical Cyclone Winston was one of the most terrifying experiences I have ever been through. I live on the western side of Viti Levu, in Nadi. On Saturday night, by the time the sun went down, the wind had began howling and it was bucketing down. The electricity went off. Within a few hours, the…