“Coal-fueled climate change is killing the Reef, but instead of phasing out fossil fuels and pulling support for Adani’s Carmichael mine, the PM and Josh Frydenberg are again just dealing with symptoms of the problem,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate and Energy Campaigner, Dr Nikola Casule, said.

“The Reef is now in the early stages of an unprecedented third consecutive year of bleaching. The Reef bleached in 2016 and 2017 and the Turnbull government did nothing. The science is clear: dangerous global warming is the biggest threat to the Reef.

“Rather than engaging in piecemeal exercises that ignore the biggest threat to the Reef, Malcolm Turnbull should place the interests of all Australians ahead of the profits of coal barons by embracing renewable energy and saying no to new coal projects, like Adani’s Carmichael coal mine.”

Today in Townsville the Prime Minister announced a $60 million Great Barrier Reef program that includes paying farmers to reduce sediment runoff, increasing the number of vessels targeting the crown-of-thorns starfish and the number of field officers to protect the Reef.

The program also includes $6 million for science and research, but does not include a single initiative to reduce Australia’s support of the coal industry or any serious measures to combat global warming.

“If Mr Turnbull genuinely cared about our precious Reef and the people who depend on it, he would get serious about fighting climate change instead of engaging in fantasy solutions that ignore the real issue,” Dr Casule said.

Contact: 

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner Martin Zavan

0424 295 422

martin.zavan@greenpeace.org

Plans by a British billionaire to turn the former Holden factory into an electric car manufacturing hub were revealed in a letter from the SA Treasurer, Tom Koutsantonis, to GM Holden asking them to support the plans and purchase of assets from the closed Elizabeth factory [1].

“This is a reminder that South Australia’s pathway to energy and economic security lies in clean energy technology, not outdated fossil fuels” Greenpeace Australia Pacific senior campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle, said.

“Electric vehicles and batteries are the industries of the future and this plant would be another example of SA leading the rest of the country.

“With oil demand predicted to peak as early as the next decade and the rest of the world moving away from fossil fuels this is another reminder of why we should keep drilling out of the Great Australian Bight.”

Greenpeace is calling for a permanent ban on oil exploration in the Great Australian Bight in order to protect this unique wilderness and a rapid shift to clean transport modes, including electric vehicles, to combat climate change and air pollution .

“The UBS global autos survey released in November predicted that almost every sixth car sold in the world will be electric by 2025 [2],” Pelle said.

“Drilling in the Bight is not only gambling with the Bight’s marine life and fishing industries,  with cities such as Madrid, Mexico City, Paris, and Athens already committing to removing petrol vehicles from their roads by 2030 it’s also a bad bet against a future in which the end of the oil age is inevitable” .

“The offshore oil industry, like the coal industry, is in a state of decline with job cuts and project cancellations occuring on a regular basis. Oil companies have admitted that oil-related job prospects in South Australia would be ‘negligible’. Backing electric cars and renewable technology on the other hand will ensure jobs for the future.”

Notes for editors:

[1] http://bit.ly/2DxHpbe

[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-28/rise-of-electric-cars-quickens-pace-to-tesla-s-benefit

For interviews contact:

Simon Black

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner

0418 219 086 / simon.black@greenpeace.org

The footage shows a seafloor ‘carpeted with life’ as well as ‘clear indications of a vulnerable marine ecosystem’ — strong evidence of the need for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to protect species like whales and penguins.

The submarine dive footage is available here

Greenpeace is currently in the Antarctic campaigning for an ocean sanctuary covering 1.8 million square kilometres, which would be the largest protected area on Earth.

John Hocevar, a Greenpeace US marine biologist who piloted the submarine, described the team’s first dive in the Antarctic Ocean as “amazing”.

“I really didn't know what to expect, but we saw so much life, it was very diverse. There were a lot of species of sponges, corals, sea squirts, a lot of different kinds of sea stars and their relatives, basket stars, feather stars,” he said.

“It was just incredible how the whole bottom was carpeted with life. I really didn't expect it. I hope the work we're doing down here shows exactly why we need to protect this precious ecosystem.”

Dr Susanne Lockhart, an Antarctic biologist who visited the seafloor in a two-person submarine, said there were clear indications of a vulnerable marine ecosystem in the initial footage gathered at the seabed.

“We’ll be doing further exploration of the bottom of the sea to help determine specific areas that should be a priority for protection from commercial fishing in these pristine waters, as well as building a body of evidence to support proposals for protection in the Antarctic Ocean,” she said.

Frida Bengtsson, head of Greenpeace’s Protect the Antarctic campaign, said:

“Over half a million people have already backed the call for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary - a 1.8 million square kilometre safe haven for penguins and whales. The movement to create the biggest protected area on Earth is growing by the day.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Antarctic campaigner Alix Foster Vander Elst, said more than 30,000 Australians had shown their support for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary roughly the size of Queensland.

“The research Greenpeace is undertaking will bolster the case for protecting iconic Antarctic species by safeguarding the ocean they live in,” she said.

“Penguins should not have to compete with industrial fishing vessels for their next meal. The way to keep them out of this lopsided fight is by putting the Weddell Sea off limits to commercial fishing through an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.”

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise is on a three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including seafloor submarine dives and sampling for plastic pollution, to highlight the urgent need for the creation of the world’s largest protected area to safeguard fragile Antarctic ecosystems.

The proposal for the sanctuary has been submitted by the EU and is backed by the German Government. It will be considered when the Antarctic Ocean Commission next convenes, in Hobart, in October.

Key footage gathered from the submarine dives will be submitted to the Antarctic Ocean Commission for both specific, localised, protection as well as strengthening proposals for marine protection in the Antarctic.

The release comes a day after “Stranger Things” star David Harbour rose to a Twitter challenge to reach 200,000 retweets in order to join Greenpeace’s Antarctic expedition.

See footage from the submarine dives here

See photos of the submarine dives and the expedition here

Learn more about the campaign here

ENDS

Media contacts:

Martin Zavan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner, 0424 295 422, martin.zavan@greenpeace.org

Luke Massey, Antarctic Global Communications Lead, Greenpeace UK, luke.massey@greenpeace.org, +44 (0) 7973 873 155

Greenpeace International Press Desk, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)

[See video of Javier’s dive here.]

After a two-hour dive to the Antarctic Peninsula seabed, Javier Bardem described the “overwhelming variety of colours and life” 270m below the surface.

“It is an incredibly important mission to go down and document these species in all their colorful existence and to prove the importance of protecting this unique ocean,” Bardem said.

Greenpeace is currently undertaking a three-month expedition to the Antarctic to carry out scientific research, including sampling for plastic pollution, to highlight the urgent need to create a 1.8 million square kilometre Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to safeguard species like whales and penguins.

Javier Bardem continued: “As soon as we reached the seafloor, I was completely amazed by the overwhelming variety of colors and life all around us. I’m not a biologist, but to find a pink, yellow and green world of corals and sponges at the bottom of the Antarctic Ocean was a real surprise to me.”

“It was a very relaxed experience, even though I’d expected to become more nervous, as we dived into the deep. It is really impressive to witness the scientific research that is done on this expedition first-hand and I’m just very grateful to be allowed one dive in between the many others where a real Antarctic biologist is in the passenger seat!”

“To me, an experience like this shows exactly why we need to show respect as human beings. It is an incredibly important mission to go down and document these species in all their colorful existence to prove the importance of protecting a unique ocean that also feeds all the bigger animals in the Antarctic”.

John Hocevar, a Greenpeace US marine biologist who piloted the submarine, said:

“Being in a two-person submarine with Javier Bardem was awesome. He was a very relaxed passenger, especially considering this was his first dive. He seemed completely awestruck by the whole experience and so was I.”

The proposal for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary has been submitted by the EU and will be considered when the Hobart-based Antarctic Ocean Commission next convenes, in October 2018.

Key findings from the footage gathered from the submarine dives will be shared with the Commission to establish localised protection as well as to strengthen this and other upcoming proposals for marine protection in the Antarctic.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Campaigner Alix Foster Vander Elst said Greenpeace’s Antarctic expedition was continuing to build the scientific case for protecting the Antarctic Ocean and the marine life it supports.

“Although there is still much work to be done, it is already clear at this early stage of the expedition that the Antarctic is home to a diverse range of species who deserve our protection,” she said.

“The Antarctic Ocean Commission must carry out its mandate to protect the Antarctic by establishing an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary. More than 600,000 petition signatories are calling on them to do just that and this latest evidence of the rich marine life that exists in the Antarctic further bolsters their case.”

ENDS

Notes:

See footage of Javier Bardem’s submarine dive here: http://media.greenpeace.org/archive/Actor-Javier-Bardem-dives-in-Greenpeace-submarine-in-Antarctic-Ocean--with-Greenpeace-marine-biologist-John-Hocevar.-News-Edit-27MZIFJXE45T0.html

See further photo and video of the expedition and submarine dives, see here: http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJX9IE3D

The petition to create an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary has already gathered over half a million signatures globally:http://protecttheantarctic.org

Media contacts:

Martin Zavan 0424 295 422, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner, martin.zavan@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)

The opposition leader today declared during his National Press Club address that there was “legitimate concern” about the controversial project and that “if it doesn’t stack up economically and environmentally, it won’t get our support”.

“If there was ever a project that failed to stack up both environmentally and economically it’s the Adani Carmichael mega-mine,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate and Energy Campaigner, Nikola Casule, said.

“It's encouraging to see Bill Shorten publically recognise the harm this mine will do to the climate, Great Barrier Reef, and Australia’s economy.

“Poll after poll shows Australians don't want this toxic and damaging mine. It's time the ALP did the right thing and opposed the project outright.”

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling for a promise that any future ALP government will revoke Adani's mining license for the Carmichael project.

“The people of Australia don’t want this mine, the Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners whose land the mine is on have said they don’t want it, and the world’s major banks don’t want anything to do with this mine,” Casule said.

“Bill Shorten must commit to revoking Adani’s mining license for the Galilee Basin and ending this toxic project once and for all.”

For interviews contact:

Simon Black

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner

0418 219 086 / simon.black@greenpeace.org

The details are contained in the Environment Plan Summary and Statement of Reasons for seismic testing to be undertaken by Asset Energy and which has been approved by the Federal regulator, NOPSEMA, and allows testing until May 31 - the day before the official start of whale migration on the first of June.

“Whales and other endangered species do not adhere to the Gregorian calendar and do not know the difference between May 31 and June 1,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle, said.

“Whale sightings off the coast of Sydney are an almost daily occurrence from the second week of May meaning there’s a high likelihood that seismic testing could impact these much loved creatures if it goes ahead at the end of the approved window [1].”

The seismic testing, which consists of concentrated blasts of air being detonated every few seconds for days at a time, 24 hours a day, is set to take place in an area that the plan says will be home to 22 threatened species, seven of which are endangered and three critically endangered.

These species include humpback whales, loggerhead turtles and critically endangered grey nurse sharks.

Pelle said troublingly no tourism operators appear to have been consulted, with the environment plan stating that “while other impacts were considered, such as tourism, they were not deemed key with respect to potential impacts and no concerns were raised during the consultation period from any tourism related organisation”.

“Despite stating that no issues were raised around whale migration by tourism bodies, not a single such group are listed in the environment plan appendix as being contacted,” Pelle said.

“It is irresponsible and disingenuous for a body such as this to claim there were no concerns raised when it appears from their own appendix that no opinions were sought.”

“Sadly this is what we have come to expect from companies intent on fueling their obsession with fossil fuels at any expense.”

Notes for editors:

[1] https://www.nopsema.gov.au/environmental-management/activity-status-and-summaries/details/404

[2] http://whalewatchingsydney.net/whale-sightings

For interviews contact:

Simon Black

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner

0418 219 086 / simon.black@greenpeace.org

The 11-storey boat, carrying survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as the Fukushima nuclear disaster and descendents of Aboriginal survivors of nuclear testing, was welcomed by the Maritime Union of Australia and Uranium Free NSW as it entered Sydney harbour around 7am this morning.

“The world is closer to nuclear war today than it has been in decades. With the doomsday clock at two minutes to midnight, the Peace Boat’s survivor-led call for nuclear disarmament could not come at a more opportune time,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Campaigner Alix Foster Vander Elst said.

“Australia needs to put the safety of its citizens and the wider world ahead of its alliances and short term political self-interest and take steps to safeguard the future by signing the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The global community has put forward a mechanism to end the scourge of these weapons - it is crucial that Australia seizes this opportunity. ”

“We know the immense suffering that nuclear weapons and nuclear testing has caused to the people of Australia and Japan. Both governments have similar problems. They talk about the goal of a nuclear weapon free world but they boycotted the negotiations for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Now it is time for the people of Australia and Japan to stand together to convince their governments to take the right course of action”, said Akira Kawasaki, Executive Committee Member of Peace Boat and member of the ICAN International Steering Group.

“Australia has joined the treaties banning chemical and biological weapons, landmines and cluster munitions. It is inevitable that Australia join the nuclear weapon ban treaty as well. We cannot sit on the fence while the nuclear threat continues to escalate; the ban treaty is the circuit-breaker we need,” said Gem Romuld, Australian Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

The Peace Boat is visiting Sydney as part of its ‘Making Waves’ tour which is exploring the devastating humanitarian consequences of the use and testing of nuclear weapons.

Japanese survivors as well as Indigenous Australian survivors of 1950s British nuclear weapons testing at Maralinga will offer public testimony and draw attention to the resistance of the Japanese and Australian governments to the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Karina Lester’s father, the late Yankunytjatjara elder Yami Lester, was blinded by the Emu Field nuclear tests of 1953. She will travel aboard Peace Boat to speak in cities across Australia.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to get our stories out, not only to our Australian community but also the international community. We will share and learn from one another, draw the links, and also raise awareness of the impacts of nuclear,” she said.

Photos of the Peace Boat’s arrival will be available at this link:

http://media.greenpeace.org/shoot/27MZIFJX1E86D

Video of the Peace Boat’s arrival will be available at this link:

http://media.greenpeace.org/shoot/27MZIFJX1ERY1 

Notes:

There will be a press conference on the Peace Boat this morning at 8.00am, however only pre-registered media will be able to board. Separate interviews are available before or after these events:

• Rally at 12:30pm outside the Australian Government offices and the Japanese Consulate-General, 1 Bligh St, Sydney CBD. Speakers include:

• Tanaka Terumi (Nagasaki survivor)

• Karina Lester (Yankunytjatjara woman)

• Tilman Ruff (founding Chair of ICAN)

• Ray Acheson (Reaching Critical Will, New York)

• Dominique Rowe (Greenpeace Australia Pacific)

• Public forum and performances at 6pm at the Redfern Community Centre. Details at www.icanw.org/au/making-waves

Media contacts:

Martin Zavan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner

0424 295 422 martin.zavan@greenpeace.org

Gem Romuld, Australian Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

0421 955 066 gem@icanw.org

Meri Joyce, Peace Boat

0491 026 507 meri@peaceboat.gr.jp

In the People vs. Arctic oil climate lawsuit, the Norwegian State was sued for violating the Norwegian Constitution's environmental Article § 112 for opening up a vast new area for oil and gas drilling in the Norwegian Arctic. [1] Today Greenpeace and Nature and Youth will challenge the judgement by taking the legal battle directly to the Supreme Court.

“There is already enough carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to seriously damage our future. By opening up these pristine areas for oil exploration Norway is effectively smuggling its emissions outside of its own borders and furthering climate change, which harms everyone, everywhere,”said Truls Gulowsen, head of Greenpeace in Norway.

Gaute Eiterjord, the 22 year- old leader of Nature and Youth added: “Opening up new untouched areas like the Arctic for oil drilling is a direct attack on today’s youth and future generations. As one of the richest countries in the world, Norway should be on the forefront of battling climate change, instead we’re profiting from climate destruction.”

Gulowsen of Greenpeace continued: “When politicians put oil before people, they need to be held accountable. If we win, millions of barrels of oil could be kept in the ground, and this is why we are taking Arctic oil to the Supreme Court.”

Throughout the 23rd licensing round, the Norwegian government, for the first time in 20 years, opened up a vast new, pristine area in the Barents Sea for oil exploration. A total of 13 oil companies were awarded 10 licenses. It is the assignment of these licenses the organisations believe violates the environmental rights in the constitution.

The organisations won a partial victory in January, when the Oslo District Court recognized the citizens and future generations constitutional right to a healthy environment. [2] Still, the Court failed to invalidate the Arctic oil licenses as a breach of these rights. This part of the ruling has been strongly criticized by legal academics. [3] In the appeal, Greenpeace and Nature and Youth claim that the judgement is based on an improper  assessment of the evidence and incorrect interpretation and application of the law.

Cathrine Hambro, one of the lawyers representing the environmental organizations in the case, added: “It doesn't matter where the oil is burned.  It is our view that as long as the consequences of the oil exploration effects Norwegian inhabitants environmental rights, it is clear from the Constitution that the State is responsible for that effect.”

522,000 people from all over the world have added their names to the evidence that Greenpeace and Nature and Youth have presented in the court. Norwegian group Grandparents Climate Campaign also support the appeal.

This  lawsuit in Norway is part of a growing wave of increasingly successful cases all over the world to hold governments and corporations accountable for climate change. Only very few cases per year are allowed a direct appeal to the Supreme Court.

Notes for editors

[1] https://www.greenpeace.org/archive-international/en/press/releases/2017/Worlds-eyes-on-Norway-as-historic-climate-trial-begins/

[2] https://www.greenpeace.org/archive-international/en/press/releases/2017/Decision-made-in-case-against-Arctic-Oil-in-Norway-Right-to-a-healthy-environment-acknowledged/

[3] in Norwegian

https://morgenbladet.no/ideer/2018/01/dommen-i-klimasoksmalet

https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/e1PzwQ/Jusprofessor-om-klimadommen--Det-blir-som-a-si-at-vi-ikke-er-ansvarlige-for-skadene-om-vi-sender-opp-en-rakett-og-den-lander-i-et-annet-land

For more background on the case: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/suing-norway-climate-change-oil-drilling-171110172034317.html

Nature and Youth is a Youth Brench of Friends of The Earth Norway.

Article (112) of the Norwegian Constitution says that everyone has the right to a healthy environment , including future generations, and that the State has a duty to safeguard these rights. This is the first case where these constitutional protections are used. .  

Contacts:

Truls Gulowsen, head of Greenpeace Norway,  +47 901 07 904, truls.gulowsen@greenpeace.org
Gaute Eitejord spokesperson, Nature and Youth + 47 468 92 288, gautee@nu.no

Erik Martiniussen, communications manager, Greenpeace Norway: + 47  90 67 65 98

erik.martiniussen@greenpeace.org

The 21 plots open for consultation as part of the Australian Government's proposed annual Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Release are in Bass Strait, off Port Fairy, with a number of plots off Western Australia and in the Great Australian Bight (GAB) overlapping a protected marine park.

“Since the consultation period began more than 3200 people, including workers from local tourism and fishing industries, have made submissions expressing their concerns and opposition to the new oil plot releases in the GAB,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Campaigner, Nathaniel Pelle, said.

“There is massive community opposition to oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight, from everyone from fishermen and environmentalists to federal politicians and local council mayors. And it is only continuing to grow.

“The GAB is a pristine area home to one of the most significant whale nurseries in the world and thousands of unique species, including more than 250 species discovered in 2017 and previously unknown to science.

“We cannot afford to gamble away one of Australia’s hidden treasures with high-risk oil drilling.”

Pelle said it was irresponsible of the government to be releasing new acreage plots at a time when Australia is already on track to miss its commitments under the Paris agreement and petroleum cars are being phased out all over the world.

“Oil giant ExxonMobil last week declared that oil demand would need to decline by 20 per cent by 2040 in order to meet the two degrees limit agreed to by Australia as part of the Paris Agreement. The UBS global autos survey released in November predicted that almost every sixth car sold in the world will be electric by 2025,” Pelle said.

“Drilling in the Bight is not only gambling with irreplaceable marine life and fishing industries,  with cities such as Madrid, Mexico City, Paris, and Athens already committing to removing petrol vehicles from their roads by 2030, it’s also a bad bet against a future in which the end of the oil age is inevitable.

“The offshore oil industry, like the coal industry, is in a state of decline with job cuts and project cancellations occuring on a regular basis. Oil companies have admitted that oil-related job prospects in South Australia would be ‘negligible’. Backing electric cars and renewable technology on the other hand will ensure jobs for the future.

“It seems like Australian governments have missed the memo.”

For interviews contact:

Simon Black

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner

0418 219 086 / simon.black@greenpeace.org

The rail operator said today that it had withdrawn its loan application to the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) after failing to secure contracts with proposed coal mines in the region.

“Aurizon has joined a long list of banks and services companies walking away from the Adani project,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate and Energy Campaigner Nikola Casule said.

“This is a huge win for the movement of people all across Australia that has stood up to stop Adani’s destructive plans.”

“Bill Shorten said last week that Labor would oppose the Adani Group’s Carmichael coal mine if it was found to be either economically or environmentally unviable. There is no question that this mine would be an environmental disaster and Aurizon’s announcement is another clear demonstration of the economic unviability of the project.

“If Bill Shorten is standing by the criteria he set only a week ago he must commit to blocking the project should he lead a future Labor government.”

Aurizon’s announcement marks another setback for the Adani Group’s proposed coal mine after the newly re-elected Queensland Government said it would veto any NAIF loan to the company.

That blow came after almost thirty global banks ruled out financing the project, including Australia’s Big Four.

“Aurizon’s decision reflects the wider public sentiment, which has become increasingly hostile amid revelations of the Adani Group’s tainted environmental and corporate record,” Casule said.

“While this news is welcome, the battle is not over. Greenpeace Australia Pacific and the Stop Adani movement will continue to take the fight to Adani and its enablers until this nightmare of a project is dead and buried.”

Media contacts:

Martin Zavan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner

0424 295 422 martin.zavan@greenpeace.org

Following a Twitter challenge, resulting in more than 200,000 retweets in five hours, David Harbour secured a place on the Greenpeace ship alongside singer-songwriter and actress Alison Sudol. They have joined an expedition to gather scientific evidence of the need for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to safeguard species like whales and penguins.

More than 40 international celebrities have joined David and Alison as ambassadors for the ‘Protect the Antarctic’ campaign. From countries ranging from Argentina to China, Spain to Israel, the ambassadors include actors, presenters, explorers, musicians, chefs and fashion designers:

Gillian Anderson, Carlos Bardem, Javier Bardem, Sir Quentin Blake, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Gwendoline Christie, Lily Cole, Fearne Cotton, Dame Judi Dench, Tracey Emin, Lena Endre, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Ben Fogle, Stephen Fry, Roie Galitz, David Gandy, Terry Gilliam, Philip Hoare, Vanessa Kirby, Annie Lennox, Alvaro Longoria, Joanna Lumley, Les Luthiers, Dame Helen Mirren, Thandie Newton, Simon O’Brien, Chris Packham, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Redgrave, David de Rothschild, Jack Rowan, Sir Mark Rylance, Alexander Skarsgård, Alison Steadman, Michaela Strachan, Laura Wells, Vivienne Westwood, Wang Yuheng.

David Harbour, who plays Police Chief Jim Hopper in ‘Stranger Things’, and is on board the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, said:

“Well, Greenpeace says the Weddell Sea and its surroundings are home to a precious ecosystem, vital to sustaining our future. And that there’s penguins there. And that I’ll get to waddle around with them, discuss their parenting techniques with them and yes, yes, dance with them. And that they’ll film it. And that if maybe I get enough support from everybody, they’ll gimme that video, so I can rent it out to you (be kind, rewind please).

“Those who think I don’t have the sea legs to cross the Drake Passage, nor the cojones to scare away a rogue fur seal in my way, nor the animal magnetism to attract a group of curious penguins… Look it’s not the smart money bet… I mean, I’ve been known to do stranger things (insert canned laughter here).”

Alison Sudol, who plays Queenie Goldstein in ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, and is on board the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise, said:

“There is a massive movement to protect these waters, which provide invaluable refuge to marine wildlife, and I am thrilled to join Greenpeace as an Antarctic Ambassador! Not only do I get to shout about it everywhere I can, but I also get to put on my life jacket and long johns and go exploring.”

Wang Yuheng, a nature lover and reality TV star famous for superhuman observation and memory, and who will be joining the expedition in February, said:

“If the world is an ink painting, Antarctica is the pristine white space that gives it depth. We must protect it, its oceans and its wildlife.”

Javier Bardem, Oscar-winning actor who joined Greenpeace’s Antarctic expedition in January, said:

“The benefits of an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary would be global. Healthy oceans sustain precious wildlife and help limit climate change.”

Stephen Fry said:“Every year blue whales, the largest animal that has ever lived, migrate thousands of miles to feed in the seas of the Antarctic. Last century we almost hunted these gentle giants to extinction: now we need to get serious about giving them proper protection to recover and flourish by establishing an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.”

Dame Judi Dench said: "From plastic pollution to overfishing and climate change, our oceans are under threat. Here on land we can all take action to help, by not using throwaway plastic like bags, straws and bottles. But if our seas are going to recover, scientists are telling us we need to create sanctuaries covering at least 30% of the planet's oceans. Sanctuaries encourage vital biodiversity, provide food security for the billions of people that rely on our oceans, and are essential to tackling climate change. We need to protect the world's oceans and it starts right now in the Antarctic!”

Dame Helen Mirren said: “The Antarctic is a special place, home to so many extraordinary animals, and it needs to be protected from the damage caused by humans to so much of the rest of the planet. I’m delighted to be an Ambassador for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.”  

Sir Ranulph Fiennes said:“I was the first person, with Charles Burton, to surface travel to both the South and North poles, and, with Dr Mike Stroud, I was the first to cross the Antarctic Continent entirely on foot. The Antarctic is a place of exploration, wonder and wilderness. Let’s keep it that way, by creating an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.”

Gillian Anderson said: “Sadly we have been all too quick to exploit our global oceans, and all too slow to protect them. Despite scientists agreeing we urgently need massive ocean sanctuaries to protect marine life, progress is glacially slow. That’s why I’m getting behind Greenpeace’s campaign to create a huge Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.”

Sir Quentin Blake said: “Home to colossal squid, giant sea spiders and enormous blue whales, protecting the Antarctic Ocean is a big job - and that’s why I’m glad to add my voice to the massive movement to protect it.”

Joanna Lumley said: “The Antarctic has been over hunted and overfished; now it is facing the terrible impacts of global climate change. It’s high time we stop exploiting and start protecting.”

Alison Steadman said: “Protecting this vital, life-giving ocean is the only way to look after all of the precious animals that call the Antarctic home. They can’t exist without the southern ocean - and frankly, neither can the rest of us!”

David de Rothschild said: “Wherever you look around the planet our human habits are now undeniably responsible for the devastating impacts and pressures facing nature. The penguins, whales and seals are already facing immense pressures from climate change, pollution and overfishing and if that wasn’t bad enough we’ve added yet another layer of destruction and stress to their habitats. Left unmonitored and to their own devices fishing vessels are sucking up krill for the sake of profit over planet, leaving the marine life to fight for what’s left! This route leads to one result - the collapse of an invaluable ecological system. That’s why we must support an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary that would not only protect wildlife, but would help to keep our oceans healthy which can only be a good thing for everyone! It’s time to stop the war on nature!”

Terry Gilliam said: “This Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary would be the largest place on earth set aside for wildlife to live in peace: an area five times the size of Germany, or the equivalent of 200 Yellowstone National Parks. That’s something worth being an Ambassador for.”

Lily Cole said: "There is no government for the Antarctic and so no one truly speaking out on its behalf. I am proud to support Greenpeace’s dedication to making the Antarctic the biggest protected area in the planet."

Alexander Skarsgård said: "Greenpeace are going to the end of the earth and the bottom of the sea to protect our planet. Let’s stand with them to call for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.”

Ben Fogle said: “Blue Whales can live for up to 100 years, so many lived through decades of whaling that decimated their species. We need to make sure that they also live to see their Antarctic home protected.”

Chris Packham said: “When you think of the Antarctic you probably think of snow, penguins, whales and drifting icebergs. You probably don't think of fishing vessels hoovering up the essential food source these incredible animals depend on: krill. But that is sadly what is happening right now: vast ships sucking tonnes of these tiny crustaceans out of the ocean, sometimes even under the gaze of nearby penguin colonies. We need to create a protected space for Antarctic wildlife free from human exploitation. Penguins have lived in these waters for millions of years. We must let them have an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall said: "I’ve had the amazing opportunity to visit the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia, where I experienced sights, sounds and smells that I will remember as long as I live. Everything there, from penguins, seals and whales, to krill, jellyfish and plankton, depends on a healthy Antarctic ocean. This is one part of our blue planet we can take immediate action to protect. So let’s do it.”

Jack Rowan said: "I’m extremelyproud to become an ambassador for Greenpeace’s incredible efforts around the world, and particularly the protected ocean sanctuary they’re looking to create in the Antarctic. We’ve all seen the devastation created by human pollution in oceans around the world, and we need to come together to help protect these as yet untouched parts of our planet. I for one will do anything I can to help retain these natural habitats for the animals that live and thrive there.”

- ENDS -

Notes to editors:

Photos of David Harbour and Alison Sudol on board the ship, some of the other Antarctic ambassadors, and the Greenpeace Antarctic expedition so far, are available here:

http://act.gp/2En6yoC

Further information about Greenpeace’s three-month Antarctic expedition is available here: http://act.gp/2G74Vtr

The proposal for the Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary has been submitted by the EU and will be considered when the Antarctic Ocean Commission next convenes, in October 2018.

Media contacts:

Alex Sedgwick, Antarctic Global Communications, Greenpeace UK, alexandra.sedgwick@greenpeace.org, +44 (0) 7773 043 386  

Greenpeace International Press Desk, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)

Ahead of next month’s state election, members of the Port Augusta Dustbusters group are crowdfunding to run newspaper and online ads calling on South Australia’s incumbent and political hopefuls to immediately remediate the former coal plant site, including Bird Lake and the ash dams, to a best practice standard, independently verified and in consultation with the community.

“The health of our entire community remains at risk, especially on windy days.  Small dust particles generated from the site can get into your lungs and enter your bloodstream causing health problems ranging from a scratchy throat and watery eyes to exacerbations of respiratory conditions and potentially increasing long term cancer risk. What makes this situation even worse is that Flinders Power could see this coming when they shut their plant,” Dr Amanda Bethell, a member of the Port Augusta Dustbusters group and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners GP of the Year said.

“Our people have been living with the health effects of generating dirty coal power for our state for the past 60 years. Since the closure, we have continued to choke through harmful dust events for more than a year now!  It’s unacceptable and unjust and feels like yet another ‘out of sight, out of mind’ non-response from the government. We are calling on Jay Weatherill, Steven Marshall and Nick Xenophon to fix this problem once and for all.”

As well as demanding a long term solution to the dust hazard the residents are asking for short term management measures to deal with dust events, an investigation and remedying of health effects caused by the plant and its closure with first priority given to the safety and wellbeing of the community during the process.

“Since the closure of Northern Power Station, the community of Port Augusta has been repeatedly smothered by a series of major dust events. During these periods, dust, which contains unknown chemical elements from the shut down coal-fired power plant has forced people indoors and generated a range of physical and psychological effects,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Campaigner Alix Foster Vander Elst said.

“The site is not being remediated adequately or quickly enough and residents feel their health is being put at risk by the failures of Flinders Power, the EPA and the State Government. With the issue having dragged on for more than a year now they are calling on South Australia’s political leaders to prioritise the health of their community and clean up coal’s harmful legacy for good.”

The issue of just transitions away from fossil fuels is one that many communities in Australia will face in the coming years as an increasing number of coal-fired power plants close. For that reason it is vital that the residents of Port Augusta are able to hold the Flinders Power, regulators and the state government to account to safeguard their health as they prepare for a future without coal.

Archive footage of Port Augusta dust events here

Link to crowdfunder page here

Media contact:

Martin Zavan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner

0424 295 422, martin.zavan@greenpeace.org

After shimmying the Hopper dance with nonplussed Gentoo penguins on a remote colony in the Antarctic Peninsula, Harbour said: “Protect the Antarctic. Thank you Greenpeace. Thank you internet. I’ve never had so much fun being humiliated.”

Harbour has joined a Greenpeace expedition which is in the Antarctic for three months conducting scientific research and campaigning for the creation of a vast Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary to protect penguins, whales and seals. At 1.8 million square kilometres, roughly the size of Queensland, it would be the biggest wildlife reserve on Earth.

Boarding in Punta Arenas in Chile, Harbour braved a four-day transit across the notoriously rough Drake Passage, alongside Greenpeace’s first Antarctic Ambassador, singer and actor Alison Sudol, of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The expedition has already seen the first submarine dives to a part of the Antarctic seafloor never previously visited by humans, to study rare and vulnerable species, as well as hosting Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem who went down in the submarine himself to see the abundance of wildlife.

Speaking from a penguin colony near the Antarctic Peninsula, David Harbour said:

“When I first got on this trip I didn’t really care that much about it. It was kind of a joke to me. And the more I’m here the more I understand and sense and feel the majesty and the primal-ness of a place like this, that should be protected and kept pristine, so that it can ripple through to the rest of the world.

“It would be a shame if industry came in here and tapped it of its resources. I think there are places in the world that are meant to be left untouched, that can help in things like climate change and can help keep the world in balance.”

Speaking directly to the governments that will decide whether or not to create an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary, Alison Sudol said:

“You have the opportunity right now to preserve something that is still in good shape. Let’s not wait until there’s something like we see in many other parts of the world where there’s actual degradation. Right now the Antarctic is still pretty pristine. Do it now. Think ahead, while we can.”

Will McCallum, of Greenpeace’s Protect the Antarctic campaign, said:

“A rough four days of seasickness on the treacherous Drake Passage should be enough to convince anyone that David Harbour really, really, wanted to dance with penguins. There are so many threats facing Antarctic penguins, from climate change to the krill fishing industry. We’re doing everything we can to grow support for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary, which would be the biggest protected area on Earth, from pioneering scientific research in submarines to internet lols with penguins. It’s been fantastic having Alison and David join us on our Antarctic expedition to help tell the world how important it is to protect this incredible place and its wildlife.”

Photo and video:

See footage of the dance, including interviews with David Harbour and Alison Sudol, and Antarctic wildlife:

http://media.greenpeace.org/shoot/27MZIFJX13F5I

See photos of Antarctic ambassadors, including Harbour and Sudol onboard the ship, and the Greenpeace Antarctic expedition so far:

http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJX9IE3D

See further photo and video of the expedition:

http://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJXP8G0R

Notes for editors:

The Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise is on a three-month research expedition to the Antarctic, including seafloor submarine dives and sampling for plastic pollution, to highlight the urgent need to create the world’s largest protected area to safeguard fragile Antarctic ecosystems.

The proposal for the Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary, submitted by the EU, will be considered when the Antarctic Ocean Commission (CCAMLR) next convenes, in October 2018.

The petition to create an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary has already gathered over a million signatures globally: http://protecttheantarctic.org

Media contacts:

Martin Zavan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media Campaigner, martin.zavan@greenpeace.org, 0424 295 422

Greenpeace International Press Desk, pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours)

In an indictment of the lack of action from other political parties, SA-BEST Legislative Council candidate Sam Johnson today promised to make a remediation plan an urgent priority for any party that would seek to form government after the SA election, while NXT Senator Rex Patrick will move to establish a Senate inquiry into the disposal and management of ash from coal-fired power stations across Australia.

“Today’s announcements are a belated but welcome acknowledgement from South Australian politicians that the Port Augusta community has been subjected to a science experiment,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaigner Alix Foster Vander Elst.

“Since the plant’s closure, Port Augusta residents have been subjected to plumes of coal dust blowing over the town, which saw complaints of burning eyes, coughing, respiratory distress, and a host of other symptoms.

“Nobody knows how much fly ash the community has been exposed to, and what the long term effects will be.”

Brett Prentis worked at the power station for decades and said the government and power station knew the dangers but still failed to protect the community.  

“We are concerned that Flinders power will run out of money and simply walk away from the site and leave the people of SA Australia with a huge clean-up bill and the community of Port Augusta with continuing health issues and an environmental disaster to the upper spencers gulf both on land and gulf waters,” Mr Prentis said.

“If the ongoing dust events are what the public can see of the failing rehabilitation plans we can only imagine how the site that we don’t see is being handled.

“Port Augusta isn’t the only community which will suffer if governments don’t act quickly to enact strong national regulations around the way these plants are closed down.”

Ms Foster Vander Elst said that the Liberal and Labor parties should match the commitment to fully remediate the sites, including Bird Lake, and support the NXT Senate inquiry to ensure nothing like this happens to other communities across Australia.

“It must be clear now to Jay Weatherill and Steven Marshall that Labor and the Liberals can no longer sit on their hands when it comes to this community’s health.”

“Both major parties need to step up and commit to remediate the whole site, pledge the money to rejuvenate Bird Lake, and pass national regulation to make sure nothing like this ever happens again as Australia starts the necessary transition away from coal.”

Notes to editors:

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is currently running a crowdfunded advertising campaign with Port Augusta community members, asking South Australian party leaders to commit to full and proper remediation of the Port Augusta Northern Power Station sites.

For interviews contact:

Simon Black

Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Media Campaigner

0418 219 086 / simon.black@greenpeace.org