Greenpeace Durham Group invited local MPs and members of the public to a photo exhibition recently to show the threats our oceans are facing.
Local group co-ordinator, Pauline Hall from Durham, said: “We’ve put on this exhibition ahead of the final UN negotiations in March on a Global Ocean Treaty to show the risks that iconic wildlife, such as penguins, face from overfishing, melting ice and plastic pollution. It’s vital that we protect at least 30% of our oceans by 2030.”
Joining Greenpeace Durham to provide entertainment was local singing and climate action group, Durham Climate Choir, who has previously performed with Greenpeace Durham at the Global Climate Strike held in Durham’s marketplace last September.
Also supporting the event was Greenpeace ‘Green Speaker’ Ruth Drake, from Greenpeace Newcastle, who highlighted the importance of taking action to protect oceans from further pollution.
Ruth said: “The world’s oceans are the biggest carbon sink on earth and therefore they are the best ally we have in the fight against climate change – but currently less than 5% of the world’s oceans are protected. That’s why it’s vital that we campaign for a strong Global Ocean Treaty to protect our oceans.”
The event featured photos of iconic wildlife such as walruses, whales, giant jellyfish and penguins. The photos were taken from aboard the Greenpeace ship the Esperanza, which is travelling from Pole to Pole and is currently in the Antarctic. Attendees also had the opportunity to experience a virtual reality 3D simulation of the Antarctic ocean narrated by Javier Bardem.
Pauline continued: “As a county close to the beautiful North East coast, Durham Greenpeace knows how important our oceans are for food, tourism and to protect us from the climate emergency.”
“It’s a shame that our local MPs couldn’t make it, but we hope that they can support the campaign by signing Greenpeace’s Protect the Oceans Declaration.”
