Call On CCAMLR to Protect Antarctica and Secure the Largest Act of Ocean Protection in History

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If you live on this planet, you can thank Antarctica.

Did you know Antarctica regulates our climate, and its waters feed the fish that feed the world? But who protects Antarctica and its ocean? One international organization does, called CCAMLR (Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources). This year it has the power to create three marine protected areas: the East Antarctic MPA proposal, the Weddell Sea MPA proposal, and the Antarctic Peninsula MPA proposal—the largest act of ocean protection in history!

Your voice matters. Add your name to the petition urging Joe Biden (President of the United States), Emmanuel Macron (President of France), Angela Merkel (Chancellor of Germany), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Vladimir Putin (President of Russia), Xi Jinping (President of China), and other leaders from CCAMLR member nations to protect Antarctica’s waters. We will deliver the signatures to them, which will exemplify the outpour of public support for them to act at CCAMLR this year.

Join us in the campaign to #CallOnCCAMLR by sharing this video on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram...

Caption: #CallOnCCAMLR to protect Antarctica and secure the largest act of ocean protection in history! Go to only.one/Antarctica to sign the petition today. I nominate [TAG YOUR FRIEND HERE] to join me. #CCAMLR

This year, we can secure the largest act of ocean protection in history.

2020 saw the highest temperatures ever recorded on the Antarctic continent, at over 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). With melting ice, warming waters, and increased fishing, all of the creatures that live there need us more than ever. But we need Antarctica just as much. This vast icy continent is critical to stabilizing our climate, and it circulates vital ocean nutrients that sustain fish populations, and humans, all over the world.

Life in Antarctica is breathtaking, but today it is under threat. · Paul Nicklen

Climate change is transforming the fundamentals of the Antarctic environment · John Weller

Adélie penguin chicks are struggling to survive warmer temperatures · Cristina Mittermeier

In February 2020, Antarctica hit a record-high temperature of 20.75°C (69.3°F) · John Weller

Marine protected areas can protect vulnerable species like Weddell seals · Andy Mann

Chinstrap penguins rely on the rapidly vanishing ice for their survival · Paul Nicklen

Antarctica’s future is our future, we need to act now to protect it · Cristina Mittermeier

While nations work to address climate change, we can also act this year to secure the creation of three vast marine sanctuaries in the Southern Ocean.

In October 2021, delegations are considering three new marine protected areas (MPAs) at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting. Together, the East Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula, and Weddell Sea MPAs would protect almost 1 percent of the ocean globally by covering approximately four million square kilometers and represent the largest act of ocean protection in history.

At a time when vital Antarctic ecosystems are being impacted by a warming planet, continued inaction is not an option.

What happens on and around this remote continent will impact communities across the world, especially those already disproportionately suffering from the devastating consequences of climate change and rising sea levels, such as coastal communities and small island nations. Leading ocean conservation organizations—including the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Antarctica 2020, Ocean Unite, Only One, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and SeaLegacy—are coming together to advocate for action this year, but we need your help to protect Antarctica for future generations.