The Unspoken Victim of the Tsunami

[Jamila]

....will be the enormous damage, in some cases almost irreversible damge, done to the environment from the tsunami.

Here are two disturbing links:

http://animal.discovery.com/news/afp/20050103/tsunamifish.html

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050109/ap_on_sc/tsunami_endangered_turtles

To me, this news is very disheartening as coral reefs were already in danger and sea turtles are a highly endangered species.

With all the monies going into the recovery of the areas damaged by the tsunami, I only hope that concerned people will organize to keep pressure on those governments and NGO's in the recovery process to do all that they can to help the earth and the ocean also recover from this catastrophe.


http://www.greenpeace.org

http://www.eng.walhi.or.id/


Thanks for YOUR concern.

 

[ZeroDude]

I find it slightly distasteful to turn our attentions to the enviromental damage already as the Human cost is still being added to and the effort needed for their aid shouldn't be distracted to a tree hugging exercise..............

 

[Irvine511]

"tree hugging exercise"? let's not reduce any efforts to address the shocking breadth of this disaster to simple-minded caricatures. to me, that's just as distasteful.

 

[verte76]

Damage is damage. The massive loss of human life and the massive damage to the environment, which is what we have to live in, is all part of a truly massive disaster, the worst natural catastrophe in the history of the human race.

 

[Rono]

Damage is damage. The massive loss of human life and the massive damage to the environment, which is what we have to live in, is all part of a truly massive disaster, the worst natural catastrophe in the history of the human race.

It was good to hear that greenpeace is helping out with a ship to bring suplies and medical staff into the remote places also.


( it was on the news a couple of days ago )

 

[pax]

tree hugging exercise..............

Lots of organizations are dealing with the human costs of the tsunami, which, while massive, are not the only costs. Someone has to help with the environmental damage, too, and why not Greenpeace?

 

[U2democrat]

We depend on our environment, and when it is harmed, we are also harmed.

 

[Jamila]

The people living in the areas damaged by the tsunami are largely people who live off the land (farmers) and fishermen.

When the environment on which they depend for their livelihood is this damaged, it is a tragedy for the people living in the area too.

So, for the longterm re-development of the countries devastated by the tsunami, the environment will need to be repaired and redeveloped.

I thank those of you who understand the interconnectedness of life and of our dependence on the environment for our sustenance for your contributions.

I also thought Greenpeace's contributions to the relief effort is admirable.

 

[Tania]

To assist only one aspect of this devastation would be like putting a bandaid on someone who's arm has been cut off.

The people who live in the areas destroyed by the tsunami will be affected through loss of livelihood, destruction of the materials that they use for everyday living and the tourist dollars that these reefs and animals ensure. The environment will take a long time to recover.

There will also be an impact on the rest of the world as many of these areas will be breeding and/or feeding grounds for migratory marine life. Depending on how badly the coral has been destroyed will also impact on the ocean currents and temperatures in these regions.

This is in no way to lessen the enormity of the human tragedy but rather to emphasize how important it is to include all aspects in the rebuilding process to ensure those who remain do not sink further into poverty and become reliant upon handouts for their continued survival.