This morning, people around the world are waking up to pictures of penguin sightings across the globe. The penguins have been spotted travelling on trains, arriving at international airports and at iconic landmarks. From Sydney to Buenos Aires and from London to Johannesburg, the question on everybody’s mind – what are they here for?

The penguins are part of a new Greenpeace campaign calling for the creation of the largest protected area on earth: a 1.8 million square kilometre ocean sanctuary in the Antarctic. An Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary that would form a safe haven for penguins, whales and seals. A Sanctuary that keeps away industrial fishing vessels sucking up the tiny shrimp-like krill, that Antarctic life relies on. An Antarctic Sanctuary that limits the impact of climate change. A Sanctuary that would help secure the health of our oceans.

This Sanctuary will only happen if we demand that our leaders protect our shared oceans.

This Sanctuary will only happen if we demand that our leaders protect our shared oceans. This year we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make it happen – the Antarctic Ocean Commission meets to discuss the proposal in October.

We need to stand with the penguins and make world leaders listen to us, all of us! Join the movement to protect the Antarctic at www.protecttheantarctic.org.

And share the pictures below if you enjoy them as much as I did.

March of the Penguins in Barcelona © Ana Jimenez / Greenpeace
Seeing the sites in Barcelona before hitting the Spanish coast with snorkel and fins. © Ana Jimenez
March of the Penguins in Sydney © Zoe Jeanne Burrell / Greenpeace
Arriving in Sydney, wasting no time in seeing the iconic Sydney Opera House after the flight. © Zoe Jeanne Burrell / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Buenos Aires © Martin Katz / Greenpeace
Grabbing some cool shade in Argentina’s Buenos Aires while waiting for a bus. © Martin Katz
March of the Penguins, London, UK © Will Rose / Greenpeace
Riding around in a London cab and getting a good look at the beautiful Tower Bridge. © Will Rose / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Johannesburg
Wandering around looking for Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa. © Greenpeace
March of the Penguins - Stockholm, Sweden © Jana Eriksson / Greenpeace
Feeling upside down on the other side of the world stopping off in wintry cold Stockholm en-route to the Arctic. © Jana Eriksson / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Seoul, Korea © David Jaemin Byun / Greenpeace
Taking in the amazing Gwanghwamun Gate and Gwanghwamun Square in South Korea. Tourist mode on. © David Jaemin Byun / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Berlin"March of the Penguins" in Berlin © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
Ticking off one of the world’s greatest cities, Berlin, to grab another all important suitcase travel sticker. © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Berlin"March of the Penguins in Berlin © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
Tagging along on a guided tour of Berlin by the The Brandenburg Gate. © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Hamburg"March of the Penguins" in Hamburg © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
Spotted in Hamburg causing a flap amongst the local seagulls. © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Washington D.C. © Tim Aubry / Greenpeace
Posing for travellers at Washington National Airport in the United States. © Tim Aubry
March of the Penguins in Seoul, Korea © David Jaemin Byun / Greenpeace
Arriving at sunset to Han river, which divides Seoul from east to west. © David Jaemin Byun / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Hamburg"March of the Penguins" in Hamburg © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
Getting directions to Hamburg’s famous Miniatur Wunderland from a passer by in the hauptbahnhof. © Bente Stachowske / Greenpeace
March of the Penguins in Buenos Aires © Martin Katz / Greenpeace
Literally hanging out at Caminito street museum in La Boca, Buenos Aires. © Martin Katz / Greenpeace

Akshey Kalra is a campaigner with Greenpeace UK