October 6 2008: Jayapura, Indonesia - Greenpeace Esperanza Expedition (sitios de interés)

The second leg of the Forests For Climate tour begins in the last forest frontier

Following a successful six-week tour of Papua New Guinea, the Esperanza continues it's journey around south east Asia as it enters Indonesia. The provinces of Papua and West Papua on the Indonesian half of New Guinea island represent the last forest frontier. Their remote location and the rugged, swampy landscape has meant that, until now, they have been left relatively untouched. All that could change, and we have to make sure these magnificent forests are protected. Not only do they harbour many diverse cultures and a rich biodiversity, the forests also play a vital role in regulating the global climate.

As forests are destroyed, enormous quantities of greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change - around one-fifth of man-made emissions come from deforestation. Indonesia is the third largest emitter on the planet, and that's largely due to forest clearance. With the once mighty forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan now largely gone, Papua and West Papua contain the last extensive tracts of forest in the country.

There's a lot at stake, which is why we want the Indonesian government to call and temporary halt to all deforestation until ways to permanently protect the forests can be worked out. That's why the Esperanza and her crew are travelling through the archipelago, to make sure we protect our forests and save the climate.

The Esperanza arrives in Jayapura, Indonesia, welcomed by a group of traditional Papuan dancers
© Greenpeace/Rante

© 2008 Greenpeace