Stop talks, stop deforestation: Dozens of Greenpeace activists, including two wearing masks featuring US President Barack Obama and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) perform a demonstration in Jakarta on Nov. 21 to push the Indonesian government to cut CO2 emission by stopping deforestation. JP/P.J. Leo
Your comments on the arrest and deportation of Greenpeace activists, who staged a protest against deforestation by unfurling a huge banners in one of Riau’s forests.
The developed industrialized countries have already burnt down all their forests in the last few centuries while no one was watching. Unfortunately, they must now press the poorer countries to hinder their development so that they have air to breathe. They do so by imposing carbon taxation, trade deals and encouraging lobbyists.
This is not very fair to developing countries, because firstly, each country has the right to do what they want with their resources. That is a fundamental right and while responsible use should be encouraged, excessive pressure will encroach on the rights of the country.
Secondly, if there is a carbon tax to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions, why should there not be an oxygen tax, in which every other country pays a country to encourage it to preserve its forests to clean the world’s air?
Besides dictating to developing countries how they should clean everyone’s air for free, developed nations can do their part by reforesting what they have cleared in the past few centuries.
They can plant trees over old mines, relocate industrial areas and tiny towns that all deprive the forest of many square miles.
Moobi
Singapore
Greenpeace are doing a great service in drawing attention to the greed of these companies run by those who care nothing for Indonesia as they destroy the forest. They only care for the profits of greed.
I fear the government have their hands in this and are in collusion. If not let’s see some positive action from them instead of all this empty talk!
Long live Greenpeace and the Indonesian forests!
Preston
London
It has been understandable that the Riau authority has taken harsh measures against Greenpeace because it has conducted activities in that region without having permits from the provincial government, which violates state regulation.
By enacting harsh measure on the violators, it is expected to deter others.
Abdul Rahim
Tangerang, Banten
This is an opportunity for Indonesia to show a lead on tackling climate change.
The rate of deforestation is unsustainable and is releasing stored CO2 into the atmosphere, as well as reducing the ability of the forests to absorb new CO2 thereby accelerating global warming.
I appeal to the Indonesian government to be heroes, for the sake
of my grandchildren.
Robin Curry
Cheshire, UK
The involvement of local people in this campaign is very heartening. I also appreciate the great risk that it took to be involved given the predictable response by the Indonesian government and police.
I hope the action stimulates discussion and further publicity and that Indonesia is able to take part in reducing carbon emissions.
Ian Kennedy
London UK
