Murdered for trying to save Europe's oldest forests

We are out of time. We must #ProtectThePlanet from unrestrained capitalism NOW. “He is the second Romanian forest ranger killed in just over a month, and the two deaths have heightened fears for the safety of those whose job it is to protect the forests of this eastern EU country. Romania is home to more than half of Europe’s last remaining old-growth and primeval forests — valuable ecosystems home to bears, wolves, lynx, and wildcat. There is considerable alarm at the levels of violence illegal loggers are willing to use in order to steal wood. That wood can end up anywhere across Europe, from furniture to paper or building materials. Liviu Pop had gone out to investigate a possible case of illegal logging in a mountainous region of Maramures in north Romania when his colleagues became concerned.” “Romania’s forests are being chopped down at an alarming rate and the murder of forestry workers trying to protect the wilderness may do little to slow it down. Research by Greenpeace Romania estimates that Romania is losing as much as three hectares of its total forest cover every hour as a result of degradation, illegal and legal logging — including swathes of its pristine old-growth forests. Last month three NGOs, Agent Green, ClientEarth and EuroNatur, filed a complaint to the European Commission against Romania’s government, alleging that its logging practices often contravened EU law on nature protection. “There is a lot at stake because Romania is home to the last, vast old-growth and primeval forest cover — but they are simply becoming chipboard for furniture.” Gabriel Paun said.” (ab) http://ow.ly/t0gK50wTMAQ
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