Greenpeace Exeter call on MPs to celebrate the beauty of our oceans by signing the Protect the Oceans declaration

Greenpeace Exeter Group invited local MP Ben Bradshaw and residents to a photographic  exhibition last Saturday to show the threats our oceans are facing. 

Local volunteer Claus from Heavitree 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.’ 

Our oceans are the biggest carbon sink on earth and therefore they are our best ally in the fight against climate change, but currently less than 5% of the world’s oceans are protected.

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. 

Claus, volunteer, continued ‘As a city close to the sea we know how important our oceans are for food, tourism and to protect us from the climate emergency.’ 

‘It's a shame that Ben Bradshaw MP couldn't make it, but we hope that he can support the campaign by signing Greenpeace's Protect the Oceans Declaration’