Protect the coastline
- by: Jemand Anders
- recipient: Mele Custom Land Owners and the of Government of Vanuatu
A few months ago I arrived to this beautiful island called Vanuatu in the south pacific. But soon I realized this paradise is suffering from serious environmental issues and the devastation is happening right in front of my door.
Since more then 10 Years sand gets taken away from the beautiful Mele Beach in Efate Vanuatu. Vanuatu Government allows this extraction as there is no protection coastal law and because extractions for “personal purpose” are allowed.
Factually, the beach is constantly shrinking and the sand level already has sunk around 1,5 meters. It has been estimated that around 10.000 m³ has been extracted. This is to say a sand block of 100m length, 100m width and 100m hight. That means that allowing personal extraction has led to massive environmental destruction.
A few years ago huge sea turtles came ashore to lay their eggs on Mele beach during the nesting season but all of them have disappeared. Nowadays a great number of trees more then a hundred years old have already fell and died as their roots had no ground to hold on to anymore and more will follow if nothing is done urgently. If this continues soon there will be no more trees and no more beach.
Vanuatu is already suffering from climate change. The sea level is rising, bleaching of coral reefs and regularly the islands are haunted by cyclones.
Instead of destroying the coastline even more it is our responsibility to find sustainable solutions to protect it.
A few months ago I arrived to this beautiful island called Vanuatu in the south pacific. But soon I realized this paradise is suffering from serious environmental issues and the devastation is happening right in front of my door.
Since more then 10 Years sand gets taken away from the beautiful Mele Beach in Efate Vanuatu. Vanuatu Government allows this extraction as there is no protection coastal law and because extractions for “personal purpose” are allowed.
Factually, the beach is constantly shrinking and the sand level already has sunk around 1,5 meters. It has been estimated that around 10.000 m³ has been extracted. This is to say a sand block of 100m length, 100m width and 100m hight. That means that allowing personal extraction has led to massive environmental destruction.
A few years ago huge sea turtles came ashore to lay their eggs on Mele beach during the nesting season but all of them have disappeared. Nowadays a great number of trees more then a hundred years old have already fell and died as their roots had no ground to hold on to anymore and more will follow if nothing is done urgently. If this continues soon there will be no more trees and no more beach.
Vanuatu is already suffering from climate change. The sea level is rising, bleaching of coral reefs and regularly the islands are haunted by cyclones.
Instead of destroying the coastline even more it is our responsibility to find sustainable solutions to protect it.
With this petition you will support and contribute to the awareness campaign in order to declare the Mele Coastline an environmental reserve and prohibit the sand extraction by law.
With this petition you will support and contribute to the awareness campaign in order to declare the Mele Coastline an environmental reserve and prohibit the sand extraction by law.
Dear Mele Custom Land Owners and the Government of Vanuatu,
We, the undersigned, support the campaign in order to declare the Mele Coastline an environmental reserve and prohibit the sand extraction by law.
Factually, the beach is constantly shrinking and the sand level already has sunk around 1,5 meters. It has been estimated that around 10.000 m³ has been extracted. This is to say a sand block of 100m length, 100m width and 100m hight. That means that allowing personal extraction has led to massive environmental destruction.
A few years ago huge sea turtles came ashore to lay their eggs on Mele beach during the nesting season but all of them have disappeared. Nowadays a great number of trees more then a hundred years old have already fell and died as their roots had no ground to hold on to anymore and more will follow if nothing is done urgently. If this continues soon there will be no more trees and no more beach.
Vanuatu is already suffering from climate change. The sea level is rising, bleaching of coral reefs and regularly the islands are haunted by cyclones.
Instead of destroying the coastline even more it is our responsibility to find sustainable solutions to protect it
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.