4 September 2014 (Copenhagen) — International polling today revealed overwhelming public support for a formally protected area in the High Arctic for mammals and other marine life.
A study, commissioned by Greenpeace, found three in four (74%) people worldwide support the creation of a protected sanctuary in the international waters surrounding the North Pole. In the UK, this rises to nearly four in five (78%). Currently only 1.5% of the Arctic Ocean is protected — less than any of the world’s oceans.
In the past two months, more than 900 influential people have signed Greenpeace’s Arctic Declaration, calling for a sanctuary around the High Arctic, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Emma Thompson, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Paul McCartney and many UK political figures.
In the coming weeks, delegations lead by Greenpeace will present these demands along with the list of signatories to the embassies of Arctic States all over the world.
Greenpeace International Executive Director, Kumi Naidoo, said: “Unfortunately our governments are massively failing in their responsibility to protect our environment and our climate for our children’s future. But today, our leaders have received a strong signal that the public appetite for action on the Arctic is overwhelming and must no longer be ignored. Our leaders now have both the mandate and the opportunity to act for the health of the climate and the Arctic. The world is watching and demanding action.”
To coincide with the release of this new study, climbers and mountaineers are climbing iconic mountain peaks and buildings all over the world throughout the day (Thursday 4 September), to demand that governments respond to the global outcry to make the creation of a protected Arctic Sanctuary a top priority.
All 30 countries polled show that the vast majority of people either support
or strongly support the creation of an Arctic Sanctuary. The strongest support
for protection came from Argentina, Italy, India and South Africa, but also
Arctic states like the USA and Canada went above the global average with
approximately 80% in favour.
ENDS
Photos from the global climbs of mountains and rooftops will be uploaded to the library found here, as activities unfold throughout the world.
The study, carried out for Greenpeace by Canadian
company RIWI, was conducted across 30 countries on six continents. The report
on the international results is available here.
A leaflet explaining the Arctic Declaration and the pathway to achieve it can
be found here.
