When Miranda Gibson ascended the giant eucalyptus tree in the Tasmanian forest on December 14, 2011, she was uncertain how long her protest vigil would last.
The Australian teacher was no stranger to environmental protest. She’d done the usual blockades, once climbed Sydney Opera House to unfurl a banner calling for the end to logging of old growth forests, and even briefly made world headlines when she and another protestor were badly beaten by a group of loggers.
Step into the unknown
Ascending the “Observer Tree,” as she called it, was a step into the unknown. For somebody who enjoys company, her vigil on a platform 60 meters off the ground in the upper branches of a tree would be a real test.
But Miranda was aware that much of what passes for protest against environmental destruction around the world fails to sway governments or companies to change their destructive ways. Climbing a tree and making herself available online to daily send out blog posts might bring attention to the fact that Tasmania’s trees were being felled at an alarming rate, despite a government promise to control the logging companies. Fifteen years ago, American activist Julia Butterfly Hill spent two years up a hill and brought attention to the destruction of forests in California. Such an extreme action could bring change.
One-year vigil
It is now a year since Miranda ascended the tree. She hasn’t set foot on the ground since then.
On December 14, 2012 she held a Livestream event reaching out using the Internet to reach out to the world. And the world has replied. Thousands of people around the world have been following, many sending in messages and photos of support.
Entertainers, writers, environmentalists and politicians from around the world have today thanked Miranda Gibson, in the Observer Tree in Tasmania, for standing up for the environment by sitting in a tree for one year.
The list of people, according to Miranda’s website Observer Tree, included musicians Nick Cave, John Butler, Urthboy and Blue King Brown, Daryl Hannah, environmentalist Bob Brown, Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne, Independent Member of Parliament Andrew Wilkie, Peter Cundall, and Dr Peter McQuillan and US environmentalists, Derrick Jensen and Julia Butterfly Hill, Tasmanian Greens State MPs Nick McKim, Cassy O’Connor, Kim Booth, Paul O’Halloran and Tim Morris.
Bigger than the Tassie forests
The message has expanded to include all the old growth forests around the world, most of them under threat.
The Former Greens Leader, environmentalist Bob Brown said, “Besides being a highlight at all the talks I have given in 2012, your voice, over the phone or via electronic links never fails to fascinate a hall full of people.
“In an ecocidal world, you are a focus of Earth-saving grace and sanity.”
Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne said, “Congratulations Miranda– you have brought the changing seasons and moods of Tasmania’s magnificent forests to the attention of the world. Your quiet determination and commitment to protect our wildlife, our birds and our biodiversity is an inspiration in a world where people want a quick fix and move on. Future generations will be grateful for the year you’ve spent maintaining the vigil so that they might experience the wonder of Tasmania’s forests.”
Tim Levinson aka Urthboy said, “I’ve spent an hour or two frozen to the bone in the Tassie cold but it always ended in the warmth of a hotel room. To think that anyone would volunteer to put their own life on the line out in the forest like Miranda should be acknowledged for what it is: immense bravery and great courage of conviction. We don’t see this kind of selfless dedication often. It sends a powerful message about the vitality of Tasmania’s forests and inspires people to reflect on how important they are to our land and people.”
Desperately-needed inspiration
Author and environmentalist Derrick Jensen said Miranda was” an inspiration to me and to so many others. An inspiration we desperately need.”
On behalf of State Greens MPs Tim Morris, Cassy O’Connor, Kim Booth and Paul O’Halloran, Greens Leader Nick McKim congratulated Miranda and said, “Your quiet determination and tenacity across the season this last year has been as awe-inspiring as the massive tree which has served as your home, through rain and shine. The dignified manner in which you have stood witness for our precious wild forests and their inhabitants is both inspirational and inspired.”
Julia Butterfly Hill said, “Miranda Gibson is taking a powerful stand not only on behalf of Tasmania’s forests, but also on behalf of the millions of people all over the world who know and understand that it is absolutely vital that we protect them. We stand in solidarity with and support of her courageous efforts. Having spent over two years in an ancient redwood tree in Northern California in the United States to protect it and call attention to the plight of our old growth forests, I understand first-hand what an incredible sacrifice Miranda is making in her commitment.”
The challenge for Miranda and all who support her cause to make sure the message gets through so that the logging ends. The momentum is building but, as Miranda knows, much more needs to be done.
Support Miranda through her website Observer Tree.
