![\"Weathered](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-canada-stateless\/2018\/06\/140612_253605.jpg\" "\\"Weathered")
<\/p>\nAs I write this the Arctic Sunrise, one of Greenpeace\u2019s ships, is sailing south. \u00a0For the next three months its crew will be working alongside a team of campaigners, photographers, film-makers, scientists and journalists from across the globe to build the case for the world\u2019s largest protected area: an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.<\/p>\n
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The Antarctic is home to an abundance of wildlife. Whales, penguins and colossal squid are just a few of the many animals that call it home. And it\u2019s not just important to animals – the health of our oceans sustains our planet, and provides billions of people with their livelihoods. But threats from overfishing, plastic pollution and climate change mean we urgently need a network of sanctuaries across the world to keep our ocean health.<\/p>\n
And this year, we have the chance to create the world\u2019s largest sanctuary. Which is why we\u2019re taking to the seas.<\/p>\n
From exploring previously unseen parts of the seabed, to documenting the impact of climate change and the fishing industry on penguin colonies, this promises to be a journey like no other. \u00a0We\u2019ll be bringing the charismatic wildlife of the Antarctic closer to you than ever before and introducing you to the passionate scientists spending their lives trying to protect it. Because this year, we need you to join them.<\/p>\n
Time is ticking to protect the Antarctic<\/strong><\/p>\n I think it\u2019s fair to say most of us work well to a deadline. \u00a0Something about having a due date helps focus the mind and gets the creative juices going. Well, we have a new deadline: October 2018.<\/p>\n In just over nine months\u2019 time the Antarctic Ocean Commission meets to discuss whether or not to make history and create the world\u2019s largest protected area. We have until then to convince the members of this Commission \u00a0to put aside their differences and create a safe haven for emperor penguins, blue whales, colossal squid and many other Antarctic animals.<\/p>\n We have nine months to show leaders across the world how important it is to protect the ocean at a larger scale than ever before \u2013 for the wildlife that calls it home, for the sake of preventing the worst impacts of climate change and for the livelihoods of more than half of the planet, who depend on the ocean for their food.<\/p>\n The case for protecting our oceans has never been stronger, with new science emerging every day about how healthy oceans are vital for our future.<\/p>\n There are leaders representing 24 countries and the EU meeting to make this decision. So in the coming months we\u2019ll be sending them a clear message:the journey to protect our blue planet begins in the Antarctic.<\/p>\n Help make history<\/strong><\/p>\n It might be just a small team heading south, but you can make it one of millions. You can help amplify our voice and \u00a0persuade politicians across the globe to work together for the oceans.<\/p>\n As we work with scientists to discover new habitats on the Antarctic seabed, as we bear witness to the fishing boats competing against penguins and whales to find the krill they feed on \u2013 it is your support that is going to be what makes politicians listen.<\/p>\n As the Arctic Sunrise sets sail today, I\u2019ll be the first to admit it is a little daunting \u2013 not just the prospect of three months sailing in one of the wildest parts of the planet, but also the challenge of getting so many governments to agree with each other!<\/p>\n We\u2019re aiming high because we have to \u2013 from the smallest creatures on earth to the largest, we need healthy oceans for the future of life on earth. Right now we have the opportunity to protect an area of the Antarctic Ocean that is six times the size of Italy. \u00a0We need to do everything we can to seize it.<\/p>\n Get started by signing our petition calling on the Antarctic Ocean Commission to support the Sanctuary.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-canada-stateless\/2018\/06\/140613_253607.jpg\" "\\"Adeli")
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