Petition

Protect Antarctica to Secure the Largest Act of Ocean Protection in History

312,143 signatures. Let’s get to 325K

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If you live on this planet, you can thank Antarctica. The continent helps stabilize our climate, and its waters provide nutrients for fish around the world. It is also the only continent on Earth that is dedicated to peace and science.

But Antarctica is facing an increasing number of threats. With melting ice, warming waters, higher temperatures, and increased fishing, Antarctica and all of the creatures that live there need us more than ever.

While nations work to address climate change, we can act now to protect vital Antarctic ecosystems and deliver the largest act of ocean protection in history.

With its 26 States and the European Union, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has the power to establish four large Southern Ocean marine protected areas (MPAs): the East Antarctic, the Weddell Sea (Phase 1 & 2), and the Antarctic Peninsula. MPAs have been shown to vastly increase biodiversity, abundance and ecosystem health, and provide resilience to climate change.

Building on already designated MPAs, adopting these current protection proposals will protect more than 26% of the Southern Ocean (which constitutes nearly 3% of the global ocean) and deliver the largest act of ocean protection in history. This will greatly contribute to achieving the international commitment that nations made in December 2022 through the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 (30x30).

Leading ocean conservation organizations — including the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, Antarctica2030, the Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy, and Only One — are coming together to advocate for action, but we need your help to protect Antarctica for future generations.

Life in Antarctica is breathtaking, but today it is under threat. · Cristina Mittermeier

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

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

Your voice matters. Add your name to the petition urging leaders from CCAMLR member countries to act now to protect Antarctica's waters. We will deliver your signatures to them, which will show the outpour of public support for action to protect the Southern Ocean.

You can also join us in the campaign to #ProtectAntarctica by sharing this critical effort on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

The Greatest Sanctuary

The race to protect Antarctica’s future

Learn more about this campaign

30×30

Join the Global Campaign to Protect 30% of the Ocean by 2030

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Supporters

Jack S

I don’t want to see a future with no polar ice caps or incesstant heat.

1 month ago

Mary-Ann P

I'm voting because I care for nature and these governments keep taking but hardly give out to those in need, they don't care about us low income earne…

1 month ago

Linda M

the future of the world is at stake and the future for my grandchildren

1 month ago

Laura

The Ocean is our mother! The Ocean is life!

1 month ago

Brian B

I want to leave our future generations a healthy planet to live on.

1 month ago

Mane V

to make the world a better place

1 month ago

Jack W

I don't want to see the any of the Antarctic penguins to lose their homes now become extinct from climate change or harm to their homes and natural ha…

1 month ago

Kat F

Hands of our polar caps!!

1 month ago

Stephen C

biodiversity is going down in this world and protecting the Antarctica MPAs is a way of helping the world at this crucial time.

1 month ago

Carly B

Antarctica needs to be left alone, the last frontier. Stop 'scientific research' there. No tourism, just leave it in peace!

1 month ago

Joseph m

this is probably the last place left that nature is able to survive

1 month ago

David B

krill are a foundation stone.for viability

1 month ago

Alysa P

Antarctica is in its worst condition and no one is paying attention to it. polar bear arnt the fluffy white bears seen on tv they are losing weight an…

1 month ago

Camila C

we need to save our planet.

1 month ago

Joan O

i dont want to see Africsn penguins become extinct

2 months ago

Gearoidin f

little time left...anxious a lot re marine life....their world goes first then ours

2 months ago

Cynthia E

I want to protect our oceans.

2 months ago

David M

Protecting the oceans & rivers is crucial for planet health.

2 months ago

Dyan d

As a penguin expert, I'm extremely concerned about the environmental changes being seen in the Antarctic region. Having witnessed many of these change…

2 months ago

Francois B

Antarctica is important for science because of its profound effect on the Earth's climate and ocean systems.

3 months ago

Jean-Luc S

its essential to protect the base of the food chain, krill and other species that support such high biomass of life.

3 months ago

Doris V

Our seas must be protected and the life in them. The most pristine, must remain so, save Antarctica from Climate Change, Industrial Fishing and Energy…

3 months ago

Ayzada А

Защитите Антарктиду, чтобы обеспечить крупнейший акт защиты океана в истории

3 months ago

Janina C

This is important and we need to take action for our oceans.

4 months ago

Abby S

IM SIGNING BECAUSE WE R GONNA DIE IF WE DONT PROTECT OUR WRLD

5 months ago

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Featured experts

Jennifer Howard

Vice President of Conservation International, Board Member of Only One

A leading international scientist, Jennifer focuses on implementing scalable mechanisms to conserve ocean ecosystems as a means to protect vulnerable coastal communities, combat climate change, and conserve biodiversity.

Angelique Pouponneau

Policy & Strategy Advisor to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States

A lawyer and ocean and climate advisor in the Seychelles, Angelique holds an LLM in Environmental Law specializing in the law of the sea and natural resources. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Law and is a policy and strategy advisor on ocean and climate matters to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States.

Inka Cresswell

Wildlife Filmmaker, Marine Biologist, Social Influencer

Fighting to change the way we interact with the natural world, Inka’s award-winning work educates and inspires a new generation of conservationists, arming them with the tools they need to spread awareness and drive real impact for the planet.

John Weller

Photographer, Writer, Filmmaker, Senior Fellow of Only One

An acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, and writer, John has worked in defense of the ocean for nearly 20 years. He helped lead the global campaign to secure the world’s largest marine protected area in the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

Kalina Grabb

Sea Grant Knauss Fellow in Marine Policy at the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Ph.D. from MIT-WHOI Joint Program

A chemical oceanographer who focuses on coral reef health and immunity, Kalina is passionate about using science to inspire, inform, and impact the conservation of our ocean and coastal communities.

Shawn Heinrichs

Photographer, Conservationist, Co-Founder of Only One

Fueled by his passion for the ocean, Shawn fuses dramatic imagery with intimate and thought-provoking stories to connect the global community to threatened marine species and habitats.

Sian Owen

Director of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC)

Sian has led the global strategy and coalition coordination for the DSCC since 2011. Her role draws on decades of experience building and managing transcontinental, complex multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on global social, economic, and environmental policy goals.

Ted Janulis

Founder & Principal of Investable Oceans

Ted has served in various executive positions, including CEO, at financial institutions involved in capital markets, banking, and asset management over a 30+ year business career. The ocean has been one of Ted’s passions since he was young, including a life-changing year after graduating from college with the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society.

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Protect Antarctica to Secure the Largest Act of Ocean Protection in History

While nations work to address climate change, we can act now to protect vital Antarctic ecosystems and deliver the largest act of ocean protection in history.

The Greatest Sanctuary

Learn more about this campaign

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