*Ø* Blogmanac October 27 | Angam (Homecoming) Day, Nauru
Pacific tropical paradise island, ruined by Western farming
An oval-shaped South Pacific island lying near the equator, Nauru is the smallest republic in the world – and an ecological basket case. It lies 42km (26 miles) south of the equator, and its nearest neighbour is Ocean Island (Banaba, part of Kiribati), 305km (190 miles) to the east. It is 4,000km from Sydney. Until recently, Nauru was the richest nation on earth, per capita. That was before the bird-droppings phosphate ran out. It has all been mined and shipped to the Rich World, where it has fertilized our farms.
The word Angam means homecoming. Sources vary as to date (October 26 is most commonly cited): one source gives 27 October for this event which commemorates the various times in history when the size of the Nauruan population has returned to 1,500, which is thought to be the minimum number necessary for survival. Like many low-lying poor nations, Nauru is threatened by the greenhouse effect caused by wealthy Western nations. As global warming of the earth causes sea levels to rise, the habitable low-lying land areas are becoming threatened by tidal surges and flooding.
The Australian government of ultra-conservative Prime Minister John Howard, in order to keep tinted refugees from white Australian shores, has recently begun shipping desperate boat people to Nauru. The Nauru government, strapped for cash following the collapse of its economy (Western corporations, having dug up and shipped out all the bird-guano phosphate, departed), have accepted refugees for money. In Nauru, people fleeing persecution in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq now find themselves locked up in this tropical isle. Hot and isolated, the inhospitable 21 sq km island has been called a “living hell” for the refugees.
Fresh water is scarce and communications poor. Amnesty International Australia says that lawyers, health professionals, churches and members of ethnic communities are being prevented from going to Nauru to inspect conditions.
Amnesty attacks Nauru 'security'
17 convicted for Nauru detention centre riot
Amnesty International Australia (Refugees –Australia)
Refugees: Australia's moral failure
Refugees Australia - National Directory
We are all Boat People
Search news for Refugees Australia or browse the latest headlines
Pacific tropical paradise island, ruined by Western farming
An oval-shaped South Pacific island lying near the equator, Nauru is the smallest republic in the world – and an ecological basket case. It lies 42km (26 miles) south of the equator, and its nearest neighbour is Ocean Island (Banaba, part of Kiribati), 305km (190 miles) to the east. It is 4,000km from Sydney. Until recently, Nauru was the richest nation on earth, per capita. That was before the bird-droppings phosphate ran out. It has all been mined and shipped to the Rich World, where it has fertilized our farms.
The word Angam means homecoming. Sources vary as to date (October 26 is most commonly cited): one source gives 27 October for this event which commemorates the various times in history when the size of the Nauruan population has returned to 1,500, which is thought to be the minimum number necessary for survival. Like many low-lying poor nations, Nauru is threatened by the greenhouse effect caused by wealthy Western nations. As global warming of the earth causes sea levels to rise, the habitable low-lying land areas are becoming threatened by tidal surges and flooding.
The Australian government of ultra-conservative Prime Minister John Howard, in order to keep tinted refugees from white Australian shores, has recently begun shipping desperate boat people to Nauru. The Nauru government, strapped for cash following the collapse of its economy (Western corporations, having dug up and shipped out all the bird-guano phosphate, departed), have accepted refugees for money. In Nauru, people fleeing persecution in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq now find themselves locked up in this tropical isle. Hot and isolated, the inhospitable 21 sq km island has been called a “living hell” for the refugees.
Fresh water is scarce and communications poor. Amnesty International Australia says that lawyers, health professionals, churches and members of ethnic communities are being prevented from going to Nauru to inspect conditions.
Amnesty attacks Nauru 'security'
17 convicted for Nauru detention centre riot
Amnesty International Australia (Refugees –Australia)
Refugees: Australia's moral failure
Refugees Australia - National Directory
We are all Boat People
Search news for Refugees Australia or browse the latest headlines
Pip Wilson posted item above at 1:54 PM | Permalink
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