Hi John

In a week of bad news for our oceans [1], I wanted to share the good news that your actions are offering a ray of hope. You and over 200,000 others demanded the UK Government steps up its ambition on ocean protection [2]. And last week, a big announcement showed that your message is getting through.

While the government's contributions to the UN Climate Action Summit were underwhelming at best, there was one glimmer of hope hidden amongst their lack of ambition on climate - they stepped up to protect the oceans, and that was all thanks to you.

What did the government do?
In his speech in New York on Tuesday, the Prime Minister confirmed the UK will back the target to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030 [3]. The government also subsequently announced that it has set up a global alliance to help protect the world’s oceans [4]. Countries from Costa Rica to Finland, Kenya to Vanuatu, have signed up – pledging their support too [5].

Why does this matter?
Scientists say we need to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030 to mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard wildlife [6]. Next year, there is a big chance to make this ambition a reality when governments meet to agree the world's first Global Oceans Treaty.

Thanks to your actions so far, these countries will now work together to build broad support for the target ahead of the negotiations – and the more countries that back it the more likely it is that 30% of the world’s oceans will be protected.

Together, we’ve been urging our government to take the lead on ocean protection [7]. Setting up this alliance shows that they’re listening to you. But it is just the start.

What’s next? 
What’s needed now is a commitment from the UK Government that when it comes to the treaty negotiations in 2020, they’ll make them the highest priority and send a top ranking minister to the UN to fight for the strongest Global Ocean Treaty possible.

Agreeing the strongest possible treaty is a move which would help to tackle the global climate emergency, as well as protect our oceans and the billions of people who rely on them [8].

This week the government has shown they’re listening to you, so we’ll be in touch soon to let you know how you can help make this happen.

Thanks for all your support so far,

Sophie and the Oceans Campaign team

P.S. We still need more voices demanding the government steps up to protect our oceans. Please ask your friends, family and colleagues to add their name: www.greenpeace.org/ProtectTheOceans

Notes:
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49817804
[2] https://secure.greenpeace.org.uk/page/s/protect-the-oceans
[3] https://twitter.com/mashkalina/status/1176303177580339200
[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-creates-global-alliance-to-help-protect-the-worlds-ocean
[5] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-creates-global-alliance-to-help-protect-the-worlds-ocean
[6] https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/30x30-groundbreaking-scientific-study-maps-protect-third-worlds-oceans-2030/
[7] https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/protecting-oceans-from-the-streets-of-london-to-the-negotiating-table-at-the-un/
[8] https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/resources/need-global-ocean-treaty/

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