Vancouver, Canada – In response to the announcement by the federal government that Canada will join the Global Ocean Alliance, a group of 21 other nations and counting calling for protection of at least 30% of our global oceans by 2030, Greenpeace Canada’s Head of Oceans and Plastics campaign Sarah King said:
“Greenpeace welcomes the step by the Canadian government to commit to protect at least 30% of our global oceans by 2030 alongside other countries in the Global Ocean Alliance. Protection of ocean life in a large network of ocean sanctuaries is acknowledged by scientists as the only way to halt the rapid and devastating loss of marine biodiversity, and to create more resilient ocean ecosystems in light of climate change induced impacts.”
“The next step is making this commitment a reality for ocean life. Canada and other members of the Global Ocean Alliance must lead other countries in securing a strong Global Ocean Treaty once negotiations resume at the UN. As the federal government works to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, nature-based solutions should be top of mind, as recent studies highlight that investing in conservation can have significant economic benefits, while helping to mitigate the climate crisis.”
More than 3 million people around the world have signed our call for the protection of at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, including more than 70,000 Canadians.
For more information, consult our report 30X30: How to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030
