On December 4, 2011, Miranda Gibson climbed 60 meters into a eucalyptus tree sit and began a protest on logging which lasted 449 days. Only when a forest fire (most certainly lit to force her out) drove her out of the tree sit, did her feet touch back down to Earth. Through rain, heat, and snow, Miranda fought for the forests she held most dear. Combined with a grassroots effort, StillWild StillThreatened and over two decades of environmental conservation action, did the government finally dedicate the forests World Heritage site. Although this designation is a step forward, the government is weak to the economical gains of the land and the fight continues to retain protection over these amazing forest.
Grassroots efforts like these exist all over the world they are constantly struggling against cooperate endeavors to harvest natural resources that are unsustainable. Decades go by before even rudimentary protection gets enacted. In the meantime, millions of acres of forests, hundreds of miles of rivers, and numerous endangered species are driven away, destroyed, or become extinct.
In the documentary Still Falling, Miranda expresses her disdain for talking about 'successes.' She emphasizes "not celebrating success to the point where you forgot that you have to keep fighting." Every battle won, does not mean that the war is over. In a world wrought with environmental catastrophes, every step needs to be cherished and each success needs to fuel the fire of passion, not diminish it. There's always something to fight for and whether it's giving money or time, writing letters, making phone calls, or standing on a picket line, we all must contribute to our failing world. And if we don't, there might not be a world worth living in anymore.
Still Falling from Burning Hearts Media on Vimeo.
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