Coconut+Revolution++The+Fight+for+Bougainville

News 13 Briefing // The Bougainvilleans have revolted against Rio Tinto Zinc and only used the resources that they had from old mining companies and their natural resources. //

 The revolution was against Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ) and Papua-New Guinea. RTZ was destroying and polluting the land around the mining site that was half a kilometer deep and seven kilometers wide. This pollution displaced hundreds of people and made a river biologically dead. Papua-New Guinea had gained independence and freedom and Bougainville wanted that too but Papua-New Guinea would not give it to them. As a result, Papua-New Guinea started a blockade to make Bougainville not want to leave. They had a shortage of medical items and other necessities but they stuck to recycling, reusing and reducing. They started to use coconut oil for fuel and also made weapons from the old mine parts left behind and animal fat for bombs and explosives. They also went back to old herbs for medicine.    One benefit of this revolution is that Bougainville now knows that they are able to survive with just what they have. Another is that they are now know how to use coconut oil as gas for their vehicles. They are now using herbs and other plants from their natural surroundings for medicine. Bougainville has tried to get independence and has only gotten a part of it.   //A Bougainville soldier is looking out over the Panguna mine that RTZ has devastated and polluted. //       The disadvantage of this revolution is that Bougainville did not receive the independence and freedom that is sought. Another is that many sacrificed their lives to achieve the freedom and independence that they thought their family and friends would get if they did sacrifice their lives.    <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-no-proof: yes;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Shows how RTZ is mining and doesn’t care about what they do as long as they get what they want. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> To the Bougainvilleans, their land is very important to them. They believe that their land is like the skin on the back of their hand. They have survived multiple attacks from the Papua New Guinea army that was backed by the Australians. This civil war of revolution has taken 15 years and most have paid their lives to defend their land, their culture, their environment and the right to be free. They have used homemade and antique guns and won the revolution against modern warfare. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> The Bouganvilleans agree that environmental (ecological and cultural rights) concerns cannot be disconnected from human concerns. It is also the relationship placed by those engaging in this struggle that makes this revolution an ecological one. When their land is attacked or hurt in any way, they know that it is the poorest and marginalized people who suffer the most. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> For hundreds of years, the Bougainvilleans have been being bothered by foreign colonists, including Germany, Britain, Australia, Japan and USA. Bougainville has a major area that is full of valuable metals. Some of the precious metals are copper and gold. They were also under attack from commercial interest in cash crops during WWII. They have been affected by WWI and WWII. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The Bougainville Revolution **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The Positive Results of this Revolution **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The Negative Results of this Revolution **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Ecological **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> **Revolution**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">What makes this an Ecological Revolution **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Bougainville’s History **