Despite public pressure, Olympic organisers cleared a portion of Mt. Gariwang for a ski slope. We are pushing the IOC to commit to upholding principles of sustainability so that this type of devastation never happens in the name of the Olympics again.
A 500 year old forest is being clear cut to make way for Olympic ski facilities that will be used for a four day competition! The International Olympic Committee has mandated these games as “Green Olympics”, let’s hold them to it and save the ancient forest. Sign then share on Facebook, Twitter, email…everywhere:
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We have a choice to make:
Preserve a 500 year old ancient forest, home to four threatened species,
or
Clearcut the ancient forest for an Olympic ski competition.
It seems like a no-brainer. And it should be. But right now, Olympic organisers in South Korea are tearing down a forest, with trees half a millennia old, to make room for new ski facilities.
It’s shortsighted, illogical and worst of all, irreversible. Once the precious forest is gone, it’s gone forever. But we can stop them from clearcutting for an Olympic sized resort. The International Olympic Committee laid down a mandate that this event should be a “Green Olympics” built and operated by principles of sustainability. If we launch an enormous global outcry from every country participating in the Winter Olympics, we can shame the International Olympic Committee to living up to their ideals.
Join this urgent campaign and Avaaz will deliver our voices directly to the Olympic Committee offices. Sign then share on Facebook, Twitter, email…everywhere:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_ancient_korean_forest_loc/?biEWLbb&v=64804
Pyeongchang, South Korea won the bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics, and to hold just two ski events, they are clearcutting the world’s largest expanse of Wangsasre tree, while devastating one of the last remaining habitats of four vulnerable animals: the Eurasian Otter, the Leopard Cat, the Marten and the Flying Squirrel.
This place has been considered sacred in Korea for hundreds of years and the mountain has long been protected. But to win the Olympic bid, the government removed the protection. Now, huge scars have been carved into the mountains, and developers are moving fast to clear cut enormous areas of forest to create a massive ski resort.
There is no reason for this — the Games could take place in another city like Muju, and that could save $138 million! The International Olympic Committee’s own environmental standards outline sustainable development for the Games. It’s time to hold them to account for turning a blind eye to Pyeongchang’s destruction, and demand they uphold their own rules.
It’s unconscionable to think of thousands of 500 year old trees felled for a few winter Olympic races. What’s been torn down can never be replaced. But if enough of us raise our voices we can stop them from expanding it, and ensure that the Olympics never destroys our global wonders for the games again. Join the urgent call:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_ancient_korean_forest_loc/?biEWLbb&v=64804
Forests are the lungs of our world, vital to the clean air and stability of our shared planet. Time and again, Avaaz members from across the world have come together to protect these treasures. From thousands of us chipping in to purchase a corridor of Borneo rainforest to winning major battles to protect the forests of Amazon, Aceh and Australia, Avaaz has shown that when we come together, we all win. Let’s do it again.
With hope and determination,
Dalia, Jooyea, Mais, Nataliya, Alice, Emily and the rest of the Avaaz team
PS – This campaign was kicked off by Avaaz member Koh I Jiseon. If there is something you want to start a campaign on just click here to start a petition: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?cl=8563517316&v=64804&biEWLbb
MORE INFORMATION
Olympics Construction Scars Sacred Korean Mountain (VOA)
http://www.voanews.com/content/olympics-construction-scars-sacred-korean-mountain/2844122.html
Korean officials criticised for “neglecting duties” and “abusing authority” during Pyeongchang 2018 preparations (Inside the Games)
http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1027154/korean-officials-criticised-for-neglecting-duties-and-abusing-authority-during-pyeongchang-2018-preparations
What to do with Pyeongchang venues after the 2018 Olympics? (The Hankyoreh)
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/679070.html
Event sharing for Pyeongchang Olympics could save more than $300 million (The Hankyoreh)
http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/681410.html
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