Hi John,

 

I’m still here in New York, in the final days of the negotiations where the lack of progress has been shocking. Countries are dithering, wasting time and refusing to compromise, including the UK.

 

Our oceans really can’t afford any more delay -- if countries fail to reach a deal this week, protecting 30% of our oceans by 2030 will be almost impossible to achieve.

 

It’s all to play for. But in order to reach a deal, the time wasting must stop, wealthy countries must prioritise equity over greed, and everyone must set geopolitics aside. With just days left, we can’t stand idly by and allow Governments to fail.

 

John, we need the Government to hear from us directly, in person, through media coverage and online. Will you donate today to help fund peaceful protest activities in New York that will be impossible for decision makers to ignore, and to show that we will not give up when it matters most?

Here is the email I sent you last week on the Treaty:

 

Hi John,

 

Albatrosses soaring over sparkling waters. Sharks darting through reefs. Majestic whales meandering through blue seas. Right now, leaders are meeting in New York to determine the future of the oceans these animals call home – and I’m here with Greenpeace to make sure they make the right choices.

 

As vast as our oceans are, there is not a single part that hasn’t been impacted by human activity like industrial fishing, oil drilling and even plastic pollution - which has reached the pristine waters of Antarctica. Because shockingly, only 1% of international waters are protected. [1]

 

John, talks began in 2018 but the lack of action has lost precious time in protecting fragile marine ecosystems from destructive industries like oil drilling and industrial fishing. The solution is right in front of us. Leaders must act now before it is too late. Will you contribute a monthly gift to help us keep up the pressure?

These negotiations are the final chance for governments to live up to their commitments and agree on a strong Global Ocean Treaty, capable of protecting at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 – the minimum scientists tell us is needed to reverse biodiversity decline. Now, I’m here with campaigners and activists to make sure the governments deliver, and finalise a Treaty ambitious enough to place vast areas of the ocean off limits to destructive human activity.

 

It’s taken so long to even get to this stage - Greenpeace has been actively campaigning on it for many years – the last round of talks failed because the Global North countries brought too little to the table, too late. 

 

The next two weeks will determine whether we can properly protect our oceans and restore nature. That is why we’re speaking directly to delegates, bringing vital evidence of ocean destruction from our ship tours, and providing the solutions that will secure genuine ocean protection. With so much at stake, we need all hands on deck right now – including you.

 

We must act now to keep up the pressure on decision makers as they decide the future of our precious oceans. Will you help us?

Destructive industrial fishing is driving species to the brink. We’ve lost 70% of sharks in the last 50 years alone and it’s throwing entire marine ecosystems out of balance. [3] Animals like whales, seals and sea birds already travel enormous distances to find food – but instead they’re finding barren seabeds and are choking in plastic-smothered reefs.

 

That’s where a network of global ocean sanctuaries can help. Banning all destructive industrial activities in large areas can make waves across an entire ocean. By creating vast Ocean sanctuaries, protected areas will flourish giving marine life the space to recover and thrive once again. 

 

Take the Mediterranean Sea. It makes up just 1% of the world’s ocean area, but contains an incredible 8% of all known marine species. It’s shocking that destructive industrial fishing and oil drilling is allowed in these beautiful and biodiverse waters. Setting up large ocean sanctuaries there would help provide a safe home for over 17,000 marine species.

 

We’re using evidence gathered from scientific expeditions and amplified the voices of frontline ocean activists to drive delegates to make these the final negotiations so we can stop talking and start acting to put protections in place.

 

From tropical fish darting through vibrant coral reefs, to wonderfully weird creatures lurking in the depths – every inch of our oceans play a vital role in sustaining life on earth. And if we pull together now, in two weeks’ time we could be seeing one of our biggest campaign wins ever and take a huge step towards properly protecting our oceans for good.

 

I’ll be in touch again with another update from New York – hopefully it will be with good news. In the meantime, thanks so much for your support, John.

 

Chris Thorne, 

Campaign Lead - Protect the Oceans, Greenpeace

 

P.S. Healthy oceans play a huge role in regulating the temperature of our planet – making them essential to mitigating the climate crisis. The future of every living thing depends on the outcome of these negotiations. Help make sure they secure the protections we need by donating today.

 

NOTES

[1] Ocean sanctuaries 

[2] Marine heat waves threaten kelp forests

[3] Half a century of global decline in oceanic shark and rays

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