Eight-Year-Old Fights For Native Forests

While many eight-year-olds are focused on school and play, Cygnet Primary School student Rasa Jangala has taken on a cause of global importance – ending native forest logging. His passion, ignited through a homeschool project, has seen him surveying shoppers, leading a school rally and performing his original forest song in front of thousands.

Rasa’s journey began with a simple but powerful “social experiment” for his homeschool project this year. Armed with an iPad and a deep conviction, he positioned himself outside the local IGA to gauge the community’s opinion on the issue.

“The aim of this experiment was to get the opinion of Cygnet on native forest logging,” Rasa explains in his report.

“I thought that all of Cygnet would want an end to native forest logging.”

Rasa’s report shows a remarkable understanding of the complex environmental stakes.

Did you know that logging isn’t only affecting animals, it affects birds, humans and even mother earth!

Also, when you cut down trees it releases tons of Co2 which contributes to climate change.

Forests are essential for all life, including humans!

When you cut down lots of trees you are shortening our oxygen supply.

Many animals live in trees they, like us, need a home too.

To gather his data, Rasa approached community members with three direct questions, seeking unfiltered local feedback:

• What do you think about logging native forests?

• Do you think that logging is affecting climate change?

• On a scale of 1 to 10 How well do you think the government is doing at saving native forests?

The results of his small survey were a clear confirmation of his own views.

“9 out of 10 people wanted to stop native forest logging,” he reported.

The quotes Rasa collected highlighted the strength of feeling in the community: “Its really destructive and there needs to be an end to it now!” and “I really like the BBF [Bob Brown Foundation].”

“Most people thought logging native forests was damaging and a bad idea,” Rasa wrote.

He also noted that people are worried about animals losing their homes and the wider effect on the world. Furthermore, the survey found a strong sense of dissatisfaction with government action, with people giving authorities a dismal 2 out of 10 score for action on forests.

Rasa concluded that the process of surveying people “strengthened my opinion on native forest logging,” making him “more inclined to do more surveys for the benefit of me, you and the animals.”

From IGA to Parliament House

Rasa’s advocacy didn’t stop at the IGA. The young activist also organised a rally at Cygnet Primary School for the forests, where teachers and scores of students “turned out in droves” to support the cause.

He has also leveraged his musical talents, playing his original forest song on the ukulele at the Cygnet Folk Festival. His biggest stage yet came at the End Native Forest March at Parliament House, where the eight-year-old performed in front of an estimated 4,000 people, delivering his message to the heart of Tasmania’s political landscape.